Pope Francis is working from Rome's Gemelli Hospital while recovering from surgery, according to Director of the Vatican Press Office Matteo Bruni.

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 spent another peaceful night in hospital, the Vatican said on Friday, two days after the pontiff underwent abdominal surgery that doctors say went as planned.

Pope Francis is progressing with his post-operation recovery, the Vatican said on Friday, adding that he was able to get out of bed and do some work from hospital.

The Vatican says Pope Francis has had a second good night in the hospital recovering from surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in his abdominal wall. The Holy See press office said early Friday that further medical updates were expected later in the day.

Pope Francis is sitting up and working from the hospital following a procedure to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in his abdominal wall, the Vatican said.