The Vatican released on Sunday the first photo of Pope Francis in more than a month.
Pope Francis, 88, is facing health challenges. The leader of the Catholic church has been recovering from pneumonia, after he was admitted to the hospital with the illness on 14 February. This weekend, for the fifth Sunday in a row, Pope Francis was not present for his weekly in-person blessing.
However, he did reference his health in his message to parishioners.
"I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: fragile, at this time, like me," the Pope said in his statement today.
"Let us continue to pray for peace, especially in the countries wounded by war: tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo."
Meanwhile, the Vatican has released on Sunday the first photo of Pope Francis in more than a month.
The Vatican.
The Associated Press had more on the photo:
The Vatican on Sunday released the first photograph of pope in more than a month, showing Francis co-celebrating Mass in the hospital chapel. The photograph is taken from behind, and shows Pope Francis wearing a purple stole sitting in a wheelchair in front of an altar.
The Vatican said he was participating in the celebration of the Mass with other priests. No one else is visible in the photo. It is the first photograph of the pope since he was hospitalized on Feb. 14 with a severe case of bronchitis, which developed into double pneumonia. It is also the first time the Vatican mentions that the pope has participating in celebrating a Mass in the period.
BREAKING: The Vatican releases the first photograph of Pope Francis in more than a month, showing him co-celebrating mass in a hospital chapel. https://t.co/BOiJk4Afox
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 16, 2025
The Vatican announced on Saturday that Pope Francis was making improvements, though they are gradual.
"The Holy Father still requires hospital medical therapy, motor and respiratory physiotherapy; these therapies, at present, are showing further, gradual improvements," it said.
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