The Vatican released a photo of Pope Francis observing Mass on Sunday, highlighting the recent gradual improvement in his health.
The photo is the first photo of Pope Francis, released after his release after being admitted to Gemeri Hospital on February 14th. The photo shows him sitting near the altar with his back facing the camera.
Pope Francis was diagnosed with a complex viral, bacterial and fungal respiratory infection that had worsened before improving last week. At the worst of his health, he fought kidney failure in both lungs and the onset of pneumonia.
The 88-year-old suffered from chronic lung disease and when he was young he removed part of one lung, making recovery difficult. Since then he has been able to eat solid foods and has continued to receive high flow supplemental oxygen.
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Pope Francis celebrates Mass on Sunday, March 16th, 2025, in a chapel at Gemeri Hospital in Rome, Italy. (See the Office of Holy Publications)
On Monday, the Vatican said he was “out of danger from death,” and the clinical state of The Holy Father On Saturday, the Vatican confirmed his condition was stable.
“The Holy Father still needs hospital medical therapy, exercise and respiratory physiotherapy,” the breaking news Saturday said, saying those treatments show “gradual improvement.”
Pope Francis, suffering from “mild kidney failure,” remains “under control,” but the Vatican says
Pope Francis will attend the weekly general audience at the Vatican Paul VI Hall on February 12, 2025. (Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images)
This is the first time he has seen Pope Francis since February 14th, but many people “heard” from him earlier this month. On March 6, Pope Francis recorded a short two-line message in Spanish, thanking his wealthy people all over the world, when he heard his voice since his hospitalization.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your prayers for my health from the square,” he said in a message translated from Spanish to English. “I'll accompany you from here.”
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Pope Francis will attend Mass on September 10, 2024 at the Esplanade in Tacitru, Dili, East Timor. (Tigiana Fabi/Pool/AFP/Getty)
“May God bless you, and your virgin protect you. Thank you.”
Bradford Betz, Brie Stimson and Louis Casiano of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
