Pope Francis doing 'well', recovery to take 5-7 days - doctor

Pope Francis is doing "well", is alert and is in good spirits after undergoing abdominal surgery, the doctor who operated on him said on Wednesday.

Surgeon Sergio Alfieri said the pope was expected to take "5-7 days" to recover, and added that the pontiff had cracked a joke with him after waking up from a general anesthetic.

Once his recovery was complete, the pope was not expected to have any limitations on his travels or other activities, the doctor told reporters, saying Francis had no other illnesses.