Pope Francis will have surgery on his abdomen on Wednesday afternoon at Rome's Gemelli hospital. He is expected to stay in hospital for "several days" to recover from the hernia operation, the Vatican said. The 86-year-old has faced a series of health issues in recent years, and uses a cane and a wheelchair due to a persistent knee ailment.

Pope Francis has gone to Rome's Gemelli hospital for a check-up. Earlier this year the pope, 86, spent five days in hospital with a lung infection and last month had to skip audiences due to a fever.

Watch the latest from ITV News - The Pope will be placed under general anaesthetic for surgery to his intestine and is expected to be hospitalised for several days, the Vatican has announced.

Pope Francis went to Rome's Gemelli hospital for a brief check-up on Tuesday and has returned to the Vatican, the Holy See's press office said in a statement.

Pope Francis has gone to Rome's Gemelli hospital for a check-up, news agency Ansa and several other Italian media outlets reported on Tuesday, quoting what they said were sources with knowledge of the matter.