The Vatican has released the first image of Pope Francis in over a month, showing the 88-year-old pontiff seated in a wheelchair, dressed in purple Lenten vestments, and participating in Mass at the hospital chapel. This marks the first public confirmation that he has taken part in a liturgical celebration since his hospitalization on February 14 due to severe bronchitis, which developed into double pneumonia.
Meanwhile, outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital, a group of children—many from war-torn nations—gathered with yellow and white balloons to offer prayers and well-wishes for the Holy Father. Though he did not appear at the window, Francis acknowledged their presence in a written Angelus message, thanking them for their prayers.
“The pope loves you and is always waiting to meet you,” he said in the prepared text.
Organizers of the gathering, including UNICEF and the Sant’Egidio charity, emphasized that the event was not just a show of support for the pope but also a plea for peace, as conflicts continue to impact millions of children worldwide.
Though still recovering, Francis used his message to encourage others facing health struggles. “Our bodies are weak, but even like this, nothing can prevent us from loving, praying, giving ourselves, being for each other, in faith, shining signs of hope,” he wrote.
As pilgrims continue to visit Rome for the Jubilee Year, many are now adding a stop at Gemelli Hospital to pray for the pontiff’s recovery, underscoring his role as both a spiritual and global leader.
The Vatican announced that the Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that developed into bilateral pneumonia. His medical history includes chronic lung disease and the removal of part of one lung in his youth, factors that contributed to the severity of his condition.
