Internationally known radio/TV evangelist John Hagee is recovering from open heart surgery at a San Antonio hospital.

A spokeswoman for Hagee’s Cornerstone Church says the successful procedure was performed Thursday.

Juda Engelmayer also told the San Antonio Express-News that the 68-year-old minister is expected to be away from the pulpit for about a month. His 30-year-old son, Matt Hagee, will handle church operations until then.

Engelmayer says a routine checkup revealed a need for the heart surgery.

Hagee made headlines after endorsing John McCain _ an endorsement the presidential candidate rejected in May after a yearsold recording surfaced in which the preacher suggested God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land.

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