Pope Francis arrives for the weekly general audience on March 8, 2023 at St. Peter's square in The Vatican. PHOTO/AFP

Pope Francis is recovering and responding well to treatment after he underwent surgery on Wednesday, the Holy See Office said.

The 86-year-old was admitted to a hospital in Rome on June 7, for an abdominal surgery and he is expected to remain in hospital for some days to allow for full recovery.

“His Holiness Pope Francis spent a day resting,” said the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni as reported by Vatican Media.

“The medical staff following the Pontiff’s post-operative course reports that he has been fed a liquid diet. His haemodynamic (blood pressure) and respiratory parameters are stable. The post-operative course appears regular.”

On Thursday afternoon, Matteo Bruni told journalists the Pope was in good condition and breathing on his own “after spending a quiet night, managing to rest for a long time.”

Shortly after the Pope surgery on Wednesday, the surgeon who operated him said the Holy Father reacted well both to surgery and anesthesia.

“He is already awake…he has already cracked a joke,” Surgeon Sergio Alfieri told reporters according to AFP.

The Pope’s admission to the hospital reportedly follows a visit and consultation with doctors at the same facility on Tuesday.

This is the third time Francis has been admitted to the Gemelli Hospital.

In March 2023, he spent four days in the facility while being treated for bronchitis that had caused him respiratory problems.