Pope Francis
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, is scheduled to undergo an operation for an abdominal hernia on Wednesday at a hospital in Rome, according to an announcement by the Vatican.
The 86-year-old pope, who previously underwent colon surgery in 2021, has been experiencing recurrent and worsening symptoms caused by the hernia, leading to the decision for surgical intervention.
The Vatican spokesperson, Matteo Bruni, stated that Pope Francis made a brief visit to Gemelli hospital in Rome on Tuesday for clinical tests before the scheduled procedure. Despite his health condition, the pope proceeded with his regular weekly general audience on Wednesday before preparing for the surgery.
Bruni revealed that the operation, known as a laparotomy and abdominal wall surgery, would be performed under general anesthesia in the early afternoon. A laparotomy involves making a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity. Following the procedure, the pope is expected to remain at the hospital for several days to ensure a normal post-operative course and complete functional recovery.
Over the past year, Pope Francis has encountered several health issues. In July 2021, he underwent surgery at Gemelli hospital to address diverticulitis, an inflammation of intestinal pockets. After a ten-day hospital stay, he was discharged.
Subsequently, in March of this year, the pope spent three nights in the hospital due to bronchitis, which was successfully treated with antibiotics. Additionally, he has been dealing with persistent pain in his right knee and recurring sciatica.
The pope’s hospitalizations have frequently raised concerns and sparked speculation about his future. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, resigned in 2013 due to declining health. Pope Francis has been using a wheelchair for about a year due to ongoing knee pain that cannot be resolved through surgery.
In a May interview with US Spanish-language network Telemundo, the pope mentioned that his health had improved significantly. He expressed relief that he can now walk, albeit with occasional pain. Furthermore, he acknowledged that his bronchitis infection had been caught in time, preventing a more serious condition.
Despite his health challenges, Pope Francis has continued to engage in extensive travel. However, in July 2022, he acknowledged the need to slow down and conserve his energy in order to serve the Church effectively. At that time, he also mentioned the possibility of considering stepping aside from his papal duties.
While Pope Francis emphasized in March that he had no immediate plans to resign, the subject of his succession remains a topic of interest. Pope Benedict XVI, who passed away on December 31, 2022, at the age of 95, surprised the world when he announced his resignation in 2013, becoming the first pope in centuries to step down.
As the pontiff undergoes the hernia operation, the Catholic faithful and people around the world send their thoughts and prayers, hoping for a successful procedure and a swift recovery for Pope Francis.
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