Pope Francis underwent abdominal surgery on Wednesday to treat an intestinal blockage, two years after he had a portion of his colon removed because of an inflammation and narrowing of the large intestine.

Pope Francis was admitted to a Rome hospital for an operation on his abdomen on Wednesday, the latest in a number of health problems for the 86-year-old pontiff.

Pope Francis has gone to Rome's Gemelli hospital for a check-up. Earlier this year the pope, 86, spent five days in hospital with a lung infection and last month had to skip audiences due to a fever.

Watch the latest from ITV News - The Pope will be placed under general anaesthetic for surgery to his intestine and is expected to be hospitalised for several days, the Vatican has announced.

"When the intestines are trapped, the blood supply to the bowel is compromised and if you don't take care of it, the bowel will die and you will have gangrenous intestines," said Dr. Walter Longo, chief of colon and rectal surgery at Yale University School of Medicine.

Pope Francis will have surgery on his abdomen and remain in a Rome hospital for several days, the Vatican said Wednesday, sparking renewed fears over the 86-year-old’s fragile health.