Pope's night 'passed well' after intestinal surgery in Rome - ABC News

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The pontiff is expected to be in the hospital recovering for several days.

June 8, 2023, 3:08 AM

ROME and LONDON -- Pope Francis' night "passed well" after he underwent intestinal surgery on Wednesday, Vatican officials said Thursday morning.

The Holy See Press Office had said Wednesday evening local time that the surgery was over and that "it took place without complications and lasted three hours." The pontiff is expected to spend several days in the hospital recovering.

After his general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, the pope went to Gemelli hospital in Rome and underwent "a Laparotomy and abdominal wall plastic surgery with prosthesis under general anaesthesia," Matteo Bruni, director of the press office for The Holy See, said in a statement in Italian.

PHOTO: A car carrying Pope Francis arrives at the Gemelli Hospital where he is due to undergo the abdominal surgery, in Rome, Italy, June 7, 2023. — A car carrying Pope Francis arrives at the Gemelli Hospital where he is due to undergo the abdominal surgery, in Rome, Italy, June 7, 2023.

Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

The surgery was arranged within the last few days, the Vatican said. He's expected to stay in the hospital for several days to make a full recovery.

The 86-year-old pontiff spent three days in the hospital in March after he complained he was having difficulty breathing.

PHOTO: Pope Francis pays tribute to the relic of Saint Therese of Lisieux during the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, June 7, 2023. — Pope Francis pays tribute to the relic of Saint Therese of Lisieux during the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, June 7, 2023.

Yara Nardi/Reuters

The pontiff's March hospital stay had gone well "with normal medical progress," as he recovered from bronchitis, Vatican officials said at the time.

PHOTO: A carabinieri vehicle is parked outside the Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis is due to undergo medical check-ups, in Rome, Italy, June 7, 2023. — A carabinieri vehicle is parked outside the Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis is due to undergo medical check-ups, in Rome, Italy, June 7, 2023.

Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

Francis also had intestinal surgery two years ago for diverticular stenosis. That three-hour operation included an hemicolectomy, which is the removal of part of the colon.

Francis often uses a wheelchair or walker during public events, including when he presided over the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, his retired predecessor, in January.

Vatican officials said on Thursday they planned to release additional information on Wednesday's procedure.