The health conditions of two of Italy’s most prominent octogenarians have in recent years often kept the country in suspense.

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

Pope Francis, 86, will undergo abdominal surgery to repair a hernia likely caused by a previous operation, the Vatican announced Wednesday.

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.

Pope Francis appears in good form a day after he went to the hospital for a checkup. Francis presided over his weekly general audience Wednesday.

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