Pope Francis was awake and cheerful on Wednesday after undergoing surgery for an abdominal hernia says his surgeon, Sergio Alfieri. "The surgery and anaesthesia took place with no complications" explains Alfieri, adding that "the Holy Father is already awake and he has already cracked a joke". Despite the procedure's success, Pope Francis' latest hospital visit has revived concerns for the 86-year-old's fragile health. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES