The Catholic world awaited in bated breath as Pope Francis underwent surgery. The Vatican confirmed that he had intestinal scar tissue removed and had a hernia in his abdominal wall repaired.

The delicate operation on the 86-year-old pontiff lasted for around three hours, with the Vatican saying that the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires had no complications after the operation. However, it was confirmed that Pope Francis was under general anesthesia and is expected to remain at Rome's Gemelli Hospital for several days.

According to the Associated Press, all papal audiences have been canceled until June 18. This is the latest surgical operation that the pope had to undergo, as he had part of his colon removed around two years ago.

Before becoming pope, the pontiff reportedly had a previously undisclosed abdominal surgery in his native Argentina. That surgery reportedly caused some scarring which was removed during this latest surgery. The scars reportedly caused a partial blockage, resulting in the pope being in pain over the recent months.

Surgeon Says Pope Francis Is Now Well Awake and Alert

The surgeon who operated on the pope, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, recently held a brief press conference at the Gemelli Hospital. There, he confirmed that Pope Francis "is well, awake, alert, and already made his first joke 10 minutes ago."

Dr. Alfieri is the director of the hospital's abdominal surgery department. He is also the same surgeon who removed part of the pontiff's colon in 2021, according to the Catholic News Agency.

READ NEXT: Pope Francis Offers Prayers to Victims of Massive Earthquake in Peru and Ecuador

During the press conference, the doctor added that after his recovery, Pope Francis is already cleared to travel. The pope has official papal visits to Portugal and Mongolia lined up in August. However, he also has plans to visit his native Argentina next year, after the elections, so he would not be used as a political and propaganda tool.

Alfieri noted that the pope "does not have other illnesses," but added that he had been "experiencing pain for several months due to an incisional hernia."

Meanwhile, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni echoed the doctor's professional opinion and released a statement on Wednesday, saying, "Pope Francis is alert and conscious and thankful for the many messages of closeness and prayer that have immediately reached him."

Pope Francis Held a Veneration for St. Therese of the Child Jesus Before His Surgery

Before undergoing surgery on Wednesday, the pope had a busy schedule earlier that morning as he led a veneration of the relics tied to St. Therese of the Child Jesus. The Argentina-born pontiff is a devotee of the saint, according to Vatican News.

The pope also went to social media to celebrate the saint's 150th birthday, appealing for prayers "for the grace to love Jesus as she loved Him, the grace to offer Him our trials and our sorrows, as she did, so that He might be known and loved by all."

READ MORE: Pope Benedict XVI: The Complex Legacy He Leaves Behind to Catholics

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Pope Francis' surgeon delivers the good news "the whole world has been waiting for" - ROME REPORTS in English