The “recurring, painful, and worsening” signs and symptoms of an abdominal hernia call for surgery.

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis will have intestinal surgery on Wednesday and require several days to recover. Overall, he should improve.

To address “recurring, painful, and worsening” symptoms brought on by an abdominal hernia, the Pope, 86, was taken to A. Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday after passing normal medical exams in Rome, according to the Vatican. The Pope will be given general anesthesia for the procedure.

The Holy Father left the General Audience in the early afternoon and went to the A. Gemelli University Hospital in order to undertake a laparotomy and plastic surgery on the abdominal wall using a prosthesis under general anesthesia.

The New York Times reports that Pope Francis appeared to have a great sense of humor at his yearly general audience on Wednesday morning in St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican claims that “the stay at the medical facility will last several days to allow for the normal postoperative course and full functional recovery.”

The Pope was admitted to the hospital in late March for bronchitis treatment, according to the Vatican at the time. After being brought to the Gemelli Polyclinic hospital, the pope was given intravenous antibiotics, according to the Associated Press.

When asked how he felt after leaving the hospital, Francis jokingly said, “Still alive, you know,” according to the website. When asked how he felt, Francis gave a good response.

According to a statement from the Vatican’s Matteo Bruni, Pope Francis recently “complained of some respiratory difficulties” before going to Policlinico A. Gemelli for “medical checks,” as reported by CNN. Later, Pope Francis had bronchitis treatment in a medical facility.

Apart from the COVID-19 infection, the spokesperson said the test findings pointed to a respiratory illness that would require a few days of suitable inpatient medical treatment. The numerous letters the pope has received have had an impact on him, and he appreciates everyone’s prayers and support.

The media claim that before being brought to the hospital for that infection, the pope gave a speech during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square. Later, according to the Vatican, he was hospitalized for “previously scheduled tests.”