The surgeon who operated on Francis to treat a painful abdominal hernia said the 86-year-old pope was likely to remain hospitalized for at least five days.

Pope Francis was recovering well in a Rome hospital on Thursday, the day after the 86-year-old had abdominal surgery that renewed health fears.

Pope Francis is resting comfortably after a three-hour surgery on his abdominal wall where he did not face complications, the Vatican said on Thursday.

Pope Francis spent a "peaceful" night in hospital after a surgery, the Vatican said. Pope Francis underwent a three-hour operation in a Rome hospital on Wednesday to repair a hernia, which doctors said was successful enough that he should have no limitations on his travels and other activities after he recovers (Reporting by Federica Urso,

The Vatican said that Pope Francis' recovery is going well after a 3-hour-long surgery to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall. The pope underwent surgery in Rome, Italy.

Pope Francis underwent a successful, three-hour operation on his abdomen, the Vatican said Wednesday, after renewed fears over the 86-year-old’s fragile health.

The Vatican said the procedure sought to address an obstruction caused by a “painful” hernia and that Francis would be hospitalized for several days.