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,

Pope Francis has spent a peaceful night in the hospital after undergoing a successful three-hour operation to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair an abdominal hernia. (AP Video: Paolo Santalucia)

Religious leaders around the world have expressed their well-wishes and prayers for Pope Francis as he recovers in hospital.

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.