Pope Francis (left) blessing a child during the holy mass at the John Garang Mausoleum in Juba, South Sudan on February 5, 2023. (AFP/Vatican Media).

Pope Francis was admitted to a hospital in Rome on Wednesday afternoon, where he will undergo abdominal surgery, according to the pontiff’s office.

Francis, 86, is expected to remain in hospital for some days to allow for full recovery.

The Holy See Press Office said in a press statement, the Holy Father “will undergo a laparotomy and abdominal wall surgery under general anaesthesia.”

“The surgery, decided upon over the past few days by the medical team assisting the Holy Father, became necessary due to an incisional laparocele (hernia) that is causing recurrent, painful and worsening sub-occlusive syndromes,” reads the statement as quoted by Vatican News.

The Holly See office further said the Pontiff will remain in the hospital for several days “to allow for a normal post-operative course and full functional recovery.”

The Pope’s admission to the hospital reportedly follows a visit and consultation with doctors at the same facility on Tuesday afternoon.

This is the third time the Argentinian has been admitted to the Gemelli Hospital.

In March 2023, he spent four days in the facility while being treated for bronchitis that had caused him respiratory problems.

He was then discharged on 1 April, after a rapid and positive recovery.