INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Pope Francis is going to the hospital Wednesday for abdominal surgery to treat an intestinal blockage, two years after he had 33 centimeters
(13 inches) of his colon removed because of an inflammation and narrowing of the large intestine.The Vatican said Francis, 86, would be put
intestine.A laparotomy is open abdominal surgery
It can help a surgeon both diagnose and treat issues
July 2021, Francis spent 10 days at Gemelli to remove 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine
He had suffered what the Vatican said was a severe inflammation and narrowing of the colon
In an interview with The Associated Press in January, Francis said the diverticulosis, or bulges in his intestinal wall, that prompted the
responded well to the general anesthetic used in the longer-than-expected procedure
That reaction in part explained his refusal to have surgery to repair strained knee ligaments that have forced him to use a wheelchair and
walker for over a year.The fact that he is going back for surgery suggests he had little choice but to treat the intestinal issue,
especially given the rigorous upcoming travel schedule this summer.The Argentine pope had part of one lung removed when he was a young man
He also suffers from sciatica nerve pain.Francis initially went to the Gemelli on Tuesday for what the Vatican said were medical tests
It revealed no details at the time.The 86-year-old had appeared in good form Wednesday morning at his audience in St
He also had two meetings beforehand, the Vatican said.Francis has had a packed schedule of late, with multiple audiences each day
The Vatican has recently confirmed a travel-filled August, when the Holy See and Italy are usually on vacation, with a four-day visit to
Portugal the first week of August and a similarly long trip to Mongolia starting Aug
World Youth Day events from Aug
The itinerary confirms a typically busy schedule that includes all the protocol meetings of an official state visit plus multiple events
