Pope Francis is going to the hospital for abdominal surgery, the Vatican said on Wednesday. Francis, who is 86, is to be put under general anesthesia and will be hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital for several days. The Vatican said that the treatment for "recurrent, painful and worsening" intestinal constriction would entail a "laparotomy and abdominal wall plastic surgery with prosthesis." The procedure is conducted by inserting surgical instruments through the abdominal cavity.

"The stay at the health facility will last several days to allow for the normal post-operative course and full functional recovery," it said. Earlier on Wednesday, Pope Francis held an audience in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City and also attended two meetings.

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