The Vatican Has Released The First Photo Of Pope Francis Since He Was Hospitalized
The Vatican said the photo, which it released on March 16, was taken when the pope celebrated Mass with other priests in the hospital chapel.
The Vatican has released the first photo of Pope Francis after he was hospitalized a month ago over a severe respiratory infection.
On Feb. 14, Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital, where doctors first treated him for bronchitis.
He was later diagnosed with double pneumonia, for which he has been receiving treatment since.
The Vatican said the photo, which it released on Sunday, March 16, was taken when the pope celebrated Mass with other priests in the hospital chapel.
It had said a day earlier that Francis was “gradually improving” and was using less mechnical ventilation to help with breathing, according to Reuters.
The Vatican has said that the pope is in a stable condition and recovering for nearly two weeks, although it has not provided a timeframe for when he would be discharged from the hospital.
Throughout his hospitalization, he had also experienced “mild” kidney failure, as well as several acute respiratory failures.
The Holy See Press Office has released a picture of Pope Francis in prayer after concelebrating the Eucharist this morning. It's the first to be released since the Pope's hospitalisation on 14 February.
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) March 16, 2025
Photo © Holy See Press Office pic.twitter.com/U2vvzAI1gv
Despite being in the hospital, the Pope still made his daily phone calls to Gaza's only Catholic parish, as he had done every evening since Oct. 9, 2023, two days after Israel began its genocide in Gaza, the Vatican News reported.
On Thursday, March 13, he celebrated the 12th anniversary of his election as pope from the hospital.
In a sign that he intended to continue as pope, Francis approved on Saturday a new three-year process to consider reforms for the global Catholic Church, according to the Vatican.
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Isha Jain
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Isha Jain
