Following a three-hour procedure to remove intestinal scar tissue and fix an abdominal wall hernia, Pope Francis was in “good general condition” on Thursday and was awake and breathing on his own, according to the Vatican.
The 86-year-old Francis slept “extensively” throughout the course of a calm night at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, and he is now spending his first full day after the procedure according to the “necessary post-operative rest,” according to a statement from the Vatican.
The Vatican statement read, “The pope is informed of the messages of closeness and affection that have come in the last few hours and expresses his gratitude, while asking for continued prayers for him.”
Following a procedure in 2021 to remove a portion of his colon, Francis was admitted to Gemelli on Wednesday for his second major abdominal operation in two years. Doctors performed the treatment to remove internal scarring or adhesions on the intestine that had partially blocked it. Additionally, a hernia that had developed over an old scar was treated by inserting a prosthetic mesh in the abdominal wall.
Francis underwent surgery, which was successfully completed with no difficulties, according to Dr Sergio Alfieri, director of abdominal and endocrine sciences at Gemelli and the surgeon. Francis should be fine after he recovers, he said, adding that the tissue that was removed was harmless.
In addition to the 2021 procedure, he disclosed that Francis had undergone earlier stomach procedures in his native Argentina before 2013, which also resulted in intestinal scarring.
Francis was awake, alert, and even joking, according to Alfieri, who also had part of his colon removed in 2021. Francis said, “When will we do the third one?”, Alfieri quoted him.
All papal audiences were postponed through June 18 as the pontiff was anticipated to spend several days in the papal suite on the 10th floor of Gemelli.
Francis complained of growing bouts of pain and intestinal obstructions, and the surgery was scheduled as a result. Francis was hospitalised on Wednesday after his public audience and underwent the procedure a little while later after visiting Gemelli on Tuesday for inspections.
