The Vatican released the first photograph of Pope Francis in more than a month and the first since his recent hospitalization. In the image, he is seen participating in the Holy Mass alongside other priests in the 10th-floor papal apartment of the Gemelli Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for pneumonia.
The pope was admitted to the hospital on February 14 with pneumonia, which doctors considered critical for weeks. His condition has steadily improved in recent days.
A picture shows the statue of John Paul II at the entrance of the Gemelli University Hospital, where Pope Francis is hospitalized with pneumonia, in Rome.
Pope Francis seen in prayer during Mass
The image captured the 88-year-old pontiff from a three-quarter rear view, wearing a purple stole—a traditional Lenten liturgical vestment. Seated in a wheelchair before the altar of his personal hospital chapel, his face is not fully visible.
In the caption accompanying the photograph, the Vatican wrote: “The Holy See Press Office has released a picture of Pope Francis in prayer after concelebrating the Eucharist this morning. It is the first image to be shared since the Pope’s hospitalization on February 14.”
The Vatican press office further stated: “This morning, Pope Francis concelebrated the Holy Mass in the chapel of the apartment on the tenth floor of the Gemelli Polyclinic.”
Pope’s health condition improving
The pope was admitted to the hospital on February 14 with pneumonia, a condition that doctors initially considered critical. However, his health has shown steady improvement over the past week.
The Vatican stated in a medical bulletin on Saturday that while Pope Francis still requires therapy to be administered at the hospital, his condition remains stable.
Earlier on Sunday, in an Angelus message addressed to the faithful and published by the Vatican, the pope spoke about his health, acknowledging that he was “fragile” and “facing a period of trial.”
