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

Francis will spend the next few days in the hospital as he recovers from the procedure. He was last hospitalized in late March — just a week before Easter — for a respiratory infection and was released within a few days.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni explained that the hernia was causing recurrent, painful and worsening symptoms. It follows and is likely caused by colon surgery the pontiff had in 2021 to treat diverticulitis. This type of complication is more common in older adults.

The pontiff underwent clinical tests on Tuesday to assess his condition.

According to Bruni, “in the early afternoon [Wednesday Francis] will undergo a laparotomy and abdominal wall surgery…under general anesthesia.”

The pontiff has previously avoided having surgery on a separate condition involving his knee, because he was concerned about the effects of anesthesia. He has previously had a bad reaction and older adults are more susceptible to complications from anesthesia in general.

The pope frequently walks with a cane or uses a wheelchair because of his knee condition.

While Francis is expected to make a full recovery, fears are growing about his increasing health issues. Last year, Francis acknowledged that his advancing age may have ushered in a new, slower phase of his papacy. Nevertheless, Francis maintains a rigorous schedule and is cheerful in public.

The Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will oversee routine day-to-day management. Francis has already drafted a letter of resignation in case of a permanent medical incapacity.

“I have already signed my renunciation. The Secretary of State at the time was Tarcisio Bertone. I signed it and said: ‘If I should become impaired for medical reasons or whatever, here is my renunciation,” Francis said, as quoted by CNN.