Antonino Galofaro (in Rome) / Photo credit: VATICAN MEDIA / CPP / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP
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07:30, June 08, 2023
Pope Francis, 86, underwent emergency surgery under general anesthesia on Wednesday afternoon in Rome for a risk of intestinal obstruction, the Vatican announced. An operation that took place without complications. But this is the third time in less than two years that the sovereign pontiff has been hospitalized, thus worrying the faithful.
Pope Francis, 86, was operated on Wednesday “without complications” in Rome for an abdominal hernia under general anesthesia, amid regular concerns about his health. In the Italian capital, the pope is always a subject of conversation, for the faithful as for the non-believers. Anna and Maria, mother and daughter, believer and atheist, were just talking about it when Europe 1 held out its microphone. “This pope is really a splendid person, so I’m sad. We could see that he wasn’t feeling very well, I hope he will heal quickly,” says Anna.
“I thought he had already been hospitalized, I thought his problems had been solved. I saw him very active, I did not expect it”, continues his daughter Maria.
“I was like ‘mamma mia, again!'”
Sister Albina, who has just returned to Rome, heard the news of the operation when she was on the train late Wednesday afternoon, when the pope was leaving the operating room. “I felt bad. I was like, ‘mamma mia, again!’ . But he has a strength that not many people have. I’m really saddened because he seemed to be getting better.”
Pope Francis must now remain in hospital under observation for several days. All his hearings have been canceled until June 18.