By Charlotte Webster-
Pope Francess is making a good recovery after undergoing a three-hour operation in a Rome hospital on Wednesday to repair a hernia, which doctors said was successful enough that he should have no limitations on his travels and other activities after he recovers.
His recovery comes a day after he had medical tests at a Rome hospital.
The Vatican said the procedure would be under general anaesthetic on Wednesday afternoon and he would stay in hospital for “some days”.
It said the 86-year-old had been suffering “recurrent, painful and worsening” symptoms caused by a incarcerated laparocele (abdominal hernia).
The Pope spent three days in hospital with a respiratory infection in March – joking “I’m still alive!” when he was discharged – and last month had to skip audiences because of a fever.
Pope Francis waves from his car as he leaves the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, Saturday, April 1, 2023 after receiving treatment for a bronchitis, The Vatican said. Francis was hospitalized on Wednesday after his public general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican.
In an earlier statement to journalists Thursday afternoon, Matteo Bruni, said: “The medical staff following the post-operative progress of the Pontiff reports that Pope Francis spent a quiet night, managing to rest for a long time; he is in good overall condition, and is alert and breathing on his own.”
“The routine follow-up examinations are good. He will take the necessary post-operative rest for the whole day.”
“The Pope has been made aware of the messages of closeness and affection that have arrived in the last few hours, and has expressed his gratitude, while at the same time asking for continued prayers.”
Two years ago, the Vatican also had 33cm (13 inches) of his colon removed because of an inflammation and narrowing of the large intestine.
He is also missing part of one lung, which was removed when he was a young man in Argentina, and often uses a cane to walk due to knee pain.
The Vatican said he was then taken to Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital for a “laparotomy and abdominal wall plastic surgery with prosthesis”.
A laparotomy involves a large incision in the abdomen to examine the organs and diagnose or treat any problems.
“The stay at the health facility will last several days to allow for the normal post-operative course and full functional recovery,” the Vatican said.