Pope Francis to Undergo Intestinal Surgery and Will Be Hospitalized for Several Days

On Wednesday, Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital for surgery on his intestine, a procedure deemed necessary due to an inflammation and narrowing of the large intestine. This comes two years after the pontiff underwent surgery to remove 13 inches of his colon. The Vatican confirmed that the 86-year-old Pope would undergo general anesthesia for the procedure, and his hospitalization is expected to span several days. Notably, in late March, Francis had already spent three days at the Gemelli hospital, initially reported as being for scheduled tests. However, the pontiff later disclosed that he had experienced chest pain, leading to his hospitalization and diagnosis of bronchitis. After receiving intravenous antibiotics, he was discharged on April 1, humorously remarking that he was "still alive." The Pope's health history reveals his resilient spirit amid various health challenges. As a young man, he had part of one lung removed, and he has been grappling with sciatica nerve pain. Additionally, Francis has been utilizing a wheelchair and walker for over a year due to strained ligaments in his knee.