The Vatican News has released the first photo of Pope Francis since his hospitalization on February 14.
Photo courtesy: Vatican News
The photo captures the pontiff from behind, seated in a wheelchair and wearing a cassock, as he gazes at the altar in the hospital chapel. It was released after he concelebrated mass on March 16.
As seen in the photo, Pope Francis is breathing unaided, signaling a significant improvement in his condition, as he had been receiving supplemental oxygen during his treatment.
Photo courtesy: Vatican News
According to the Vatican News, Pope Francis’ condition remains stable. However, they emphasized that it is still considered “complex.”
“In the meantime, the Pope continues his daily activities at the hospital which has been his residence for over a month. ‘A period of trial,’ as he wrote in his Sunday Angelus reflections of 16 March, in which he has united his prayers with the many other sick brothers and sisters, ‘fragile, at this time, like me,'” it noted.
On February 14, Pope Francis was hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital due to bronchitis which had progressed to double pneumonia.
Let us pray for his continued recovery.
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