Pope Francis has scar tissue removed, hernia repaired during 3-hour abdominal surgery

Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Wednesday. Pope Francis underwent successful surgery Wednesday to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in his abdominal wall, the latest maladies to befall the 86-year-old pontiff who had part of his colon removed two years ago. Dr. Sergio Alfieri, director of abdominal and endocrine sciences at Gemelli, who also performed Francis’ 2021 colon surgery, said the operation was successful, and the pope was awake, alert and even joking. “But there was no physiological problem two years ago or today.” Dr. Manish Chand, a professor of surgery at University College London who specializes in colorectal surgery, said the surgery itself is usually straightforward — but it does require general anesthesia.