Pope Francis and Silvio Berlusconi have both been hospitalized in Italy

Two of Italy’s most powerful eighties, Pope Francis and Silvio Berlusconi, whose health conditions have kept the country in suspense in recent years, were both in hospital on Friday.

The pope was unexpectedly admitted to a hospital in Rome this week and underwent surgery for a hernia that had caused painful intestinal blockages. Mr Berlusconi, a former prime minister and media mogul, was hospitalized in Milan on Friday for checks related to his blood disorder, his personal physician, Alberto Zangrillo, said in a text message.

In both cases, the news followed several recent medical scares and sparked new concerns about the health of the men, both 86.

The pope was hospitalized in March for treatment of bronchitis, and in 2021 he had part of his colon removed. He also has knee problems and sciatica and now often uses a cane or a wheelchair. His doctors said he was fine after surgery on Wednesday.

“I pray for everyone, especially those who are suffering,” the pope continued Twitter on Friday. “I ask that you keep me in your prayers.”

Mr Berlusconi has had several health problems in recent years and was last in intensive care in April. He also survived prostate cancer and in 2009 broke his nose when an assailant hit him with a statuette from Milan Cathedral.

On Thursday, Dr Zangrillo said the checks Mr Berlusconi underwent were not related to any specific alarming situation, but according to common practice.

Mr Berlusconi still holds a seat in Italy’s parliament since his re-election in 2019 following a campaign in which he presented himself as the country’s reassuring ‘nonno’ or grandfather. Having been one of the most prominent, scandalous and polarizing figures in the Italian political, business and media world for three decades, Mr. Berlusconi is now a rather marginalized figure, but nevertheless still poses a potential political threat. He is still the chairman of his centre-right Forza Italia party, now a minority component of Italy’s right-wing government, overshadowed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy.

Pope Francis, a reformist head of the Roman Catholic Church and advocate for the poor who has promoted inclusiveness in the institution, had repeatedly said he would resign if his health condition prevented him from leading the church. But more recently, he also said he believes being pope is a lifelong position, and that the resignation of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, was an exception.

Once again, the men’s health problems gripped the country.

Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella sent his best wishes to the pope, and Francis’ social media accounts were filled with messages of support. On Friday, Italy’s Roman newspaper La Repubblica posted a photo of Berlusconi at the top of its homepage, and Italian Senator Maurizio Gasparri said on television that he hoped the former prime minister was “able to resist,” citing new concerns. about his health.

“Forza Silvio!” (“Go Silvio!” in English), Matteo Salvini, the leader of the Lega party, also part of the government, wrote on Instagram on Friday.