Breitbart reported that Pope Francis was taken to the hospital on Wednesday morning to undergo surgery for an incisional hernia. 

The website pointed to a statement from Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni which explained that the pontiff was taken to Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital.

Surgical procedure finished "without complications" after three hours

There, the 86-year-old pope underwent "a surgical operation of laparotomy and plastic surgery of the abdominal wall with prostheses under general anesthesia."

Bruni explained that this course of action was made necessary by an "incarcerated incisional hernia that is causing recurring, painful and worsening sub-occlusive syndromes."

Vatican News tweeted on Wednesday that the surgery lasted three hours and had been a success, having been conducted "without complications."

POPE FRANCIS UPDATE:

'Pope Francis' surgery is over: it took place without complications and lasted three hours' @HolySeePress #PopeFrancis pic.twitter.com/vFOn3amqzZ

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) June 7, 2023

Pope prayed before relic prior to undergoing abdominal surgery

The Catholic News agency made a similar announcement and called on believers to pray that the pope can make "a quick recovery."

Good news! The Vatican said that Pope Francis is out of surgery and that the abdominal operation he underwent “took place without complications.” He will remain in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for several days to recover. Let us pray for a quick recovery. https://t.co/f6djryR1kI pic.twitter.com/p18MdAMkmg

— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) June 7, 2023

Meanwhile, EWTN News reported that Francis prayed before a relic of St. Thérèse of Lisieux not long before his hospital visit.

One of Pope Francis’ last activities before undergoing abdominal surgery today was to pray before a relic of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
Let's seek her intercession for the recovery of his health. pic.twitter.com/YZSp3UTqY3

— EWTN News (@EWTNews) June 7, 2023

Pontiff had to be hospitalized for three days in March due to respiratory infection

According to the John Hopkins Medicine website, "an incisional hernia occurs at or in close proximity to a surgical incision through which intestine, organ or other tissue protrudes."

"Incisional hernias result from a weakening of the abdominal muscle due to a surgical incision," the website goes on to explain.

Breitbart pointed out that Francis was operated on in July of 2021 for diverticular stenosis, something which resulted in 13 inches of his colon being removed.

Abdominal problems have not been the 86-year-old pope's only health concerns, as Breitbart reported in March that Francis was hospitalized for three days after contracting a respiratory infection.