At the end of the General Audience on Wednesday, June 7,  Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s A. Gemelli University Hospital where he will undergo surgery in the early afternoon.

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office said the Holy Father “will undergo a laparotomy and abdominal wall surgery under general anaesthesia.”

“The surgery, decided upon over the past few days by the medical team assisting the Holy Father, became necessary due to an incisional laparocele (hernia) that is causing recurrent, painful and worsening sub-occlusive syndromes,” the statement said.

The Press Office added that the Pope will remain in the hospital for several days “to allow for a normal post-operative course and full functional recovery."

The Pope’s admission to the hospital follows a visit and consultation with doctors at the same facility on Tuesday, June 6.