Pope Francis Doing Well After First Night In Hospital, Vatican Says1 min read

“The night went well,” the Vatican said in a brief statement, adding that more information would be released later in the morning.

Francis, 86, underwent a three-hour operation in a Rome hospital on Wednesday to repair a hernia, which doctors said was successful enough that he should have no limitations on his travels and other activities after he recovers.

Doctor Sergio Alfieri, the chief surgeon who operated on the pope at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, said Francis had reacted well to general anaesthesia and that he expected the pontiff to be in hospital for about 5-7 days.

But, speaking to reporters after the surgery, Alfieri cautioned that while strong, the pope was elderly and recently had bronchitis so “we will take all necessary precautions” regarding the timing of the hospital stay.

Francis has two trips planned for this summer, to Portugal Aug. 2-6 to attend the World Youth Day and visit the Shrine of Fatima, and to Mongolia Aug. 31-Sept. 4, one of the more remote places he has travelled to.