Pope Francis will have surgery on Wednesday to repair a severe abdominal hernia, reigniting fears about the 86-year-old's deteriorating health condition. Concerns about the Pope's health have resurfaced as a result of the procedure.

Pope Francis was admitted to the Gemelli hospital in Rome mid-morning, where he is likely to stay for many days.

The 86-year-old, who underwent colon surgery in 2021, is suffering from a hernia that is "causing recurrent, painful and worsening" symptoms, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement. 

The Pope addressed his weekly public audience on Wednesday at the Vatican before heading to the hospital accompanied by police.

The Vatican stated that Pope Francis was suffering from an incisional hernia, which may have developed from a previous surgery scar.

"In the early afternoon he will undergo a laparotomy and abdominal wall surgery... under general anesthesia," Bruni stated, adding that a prosthesis will be used to reconstruct the abdominal wall and he will stay at the health facility for a few days. 
 
Even though asleep, the Pope retains all of his pontifical faculties. "If there are things that need deciding, urgent things, they will be taken to the pope in hospital," after the procedure, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin told the media.