Pope Francis is awake, making jokes after op

ROME - Pope Francis has woken up after a surgical procedure and is in good spirits, the surgeon in charge, Dr Sergio Alfieri, told journalists, reported German news agency (dpa).

"The Holy Father is doing well.

"He is awake, alert, and was joking 10 minutes ago," the surgeon said.

The pope underwent abdominal surgery on Wednesday.

"He had bowel surgery in 2021, carried out by the same surgeon, so the pope jokingly asked when his third operation was due," he said.

The doctor said the pope had tolerated the anaesthesia well after concerns that there could be difficulties.

Dr Alfieri said adhesions were found in the pope's intestinal area during the operation for his hernia which had been causing him great pain.

Doctors had removed the affected tissue and inserted a plastic mesh.

Dr Alfieri said the operation was carried out after a decision by the pope because he had recently been suffering from a greater amount of pain. - BERNAMA-DPA