The Vatican said in a statement that Pope Francis, 86, will receive intestinal surgery and will be put under general anesthesia.

The 86-year-old pope, who was last hospitalized in April, is expected to remain in the hospital for several days while he recovers.

The 86-year-old Catholic leader is recovering in the hospital after a three-hour operation to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia.

Pope Francis was hospitalized after an urgent intestinal surgery, RadarOnline.com has learned. The 86-year-old underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall. It was the latest health scare since Pope Francis had a portion of his colon removed two years ago.

The Vatican said Pope Francis, 86, would be put under general anesthesia and would be hospitalized for several days.

The operation was planned by the pope’s medical team in recent days after it became necessary due to a hernia that was causing worsening symptoms.

The Catholic leader will be put under general anesthesia for the procedure Wednesday afternoon and be hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital for