Pope Francis undergoes abdominal surgery

Pope Francis has undergone abdominal surgery “without complications”, the Vatican says.

The hernia operation at Rome’s Gemelli hospital lasted three hours. The 86-year-old is expected to stay in hospital for several days to recover.

In a statement, the Vatican said the pontiff’s medical team had decided in recent days that surgery was needed. Earlier on Wednesday, Pope Francis carried out his weekly audience as normal and did not mention his planned operation.

All of his commitments for the next 10 days have been cancelled as a “precautionary measure”.

(BBC)