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ROME (AP) – The Vatican released its first photo of the Pope in over a month on Sunday, showing Pope Francis wearing purple Lenten liturgical clothes sitting in a wheelchair in front of the altar in the hospital’s chapel.
The Vatican said he was taking part in the celebration of Mass with other priests. No one can see in the photo. Here is the Pope’s first photo as he was hospitalized on February 14th with a severe case of bronchitis, which developed double pneumonia. It is also the first time the Vatican has said that the Pope had participated in celebrating Mass in that era.
This photo, released by the Vatican Press Hall, celebrates Mass in the chapel of the Agostino Gemelipoli Clinic in Rome, on Sunday, March 16th, 2025.
Children’s Prayer for the Pope
Previously, many people in the war-torn country and dozens of children totted white and white balloons gathered outside Gemeri Hospital in Rome, where they welcomed Pope Francis on their fifth Sunday. The Pope did not appear from the suite of windows on the 10th floor, but he thanked them and acknowledged their presence in the traditional Sunday blessing.
“I know that many children are praying for me. Some of them have come here today and come to Jemeli as a sign of intimacy,” the Pope said in an Angelus textbook, which was prepared for traditional prayers but was not delivered live again. “Thank you, my beloved children! The Pope loves you and is always waiting to see you,” Francis said.
Rev. Enzo Fornato, chairman of the World Children’s Day Pope Committee, who organized the event, said that the gathering of children, along with parents, was a form of spiritual medicine for the 88-year-old Pope. He called it “the most beautiful love.” ”
“The children represent Pope Francis’ iconic medicine,” Fortenato said. “He will cheer his heart on by letting him know that so many kids are here for him.”
The small group, with balloons representing the colours of the Vatican flag, entered the hospital easily and left pictures, messages and flowers for Francis. Many of the children came from poor Italian districts or countries affected by the war. Some arrived in Italy from Afghanistan and Syria through humanitarian corridors established by the Santéguidio Charity in agreement with the Italian government. Others were from Ukraine, Gaza, South America and Africa.
One of them was 12-year-old Anastasia, who woke up at 5am and traveled from Naples in the hopes of sending a direct message to the Pope. “I wrote, ‘Pope Francis, I’ll go home soon after getting well,” she said. “We love you, all the kids pray for you.”
“The Pope of Children”
In addition to showing her love for the Pope, Andrea Iacomini, a spokesman for Italian UNICEF, said the group wanted to say “sufficient” for the conflict affecting 500 million children in 59 countries.
“This Pope is not just a religious leader, he is a great global leader. He is a man of peace. This Pope is the Pope of children,” Ikomini said.
Francis usually delivers Angelus to the gathered faithful people through a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
In the written text, Francis said he was thinking of others who liked him. “Our bodies are weak, but nothing in this way prevents us from giving love, praying, giving ourselves, and for each other the glow of faith,” the Pope said.
In addition to stopping at St. Peter, who seeks dul by walking through the sacred door of the Basilica, pilgrims are adding a stop to Gemeri, who is on a train 15-minute walk from the Vatican.
The Pope’s state remains complicated
This week’s doctor said the bishop is no longer a significant and life-threatening condition, but they continue to emphasize that his condition remains complicated due to his age, lack of mobility and loss of his lungs as a youth.
Still, they publish fewer medical bulletins as the Pope is on an upward trajectory. X-rays this week confirmed that the infection has been removed.
Francis has not been seen publicly since he was admitted to the hospital on February 14th after a bronchitis match that made it difficult for him to speak. The doctors immediately added a diagnosis of dual pneumonia and multi-microbial (bacterial, viral, fungal) infections.
The first three weeks of his hospitalization were marked by a roller coaster with set-folding, including respiratory crisis, mild kidney failure, and severe coughing fit.
The doctors in the latest medical update on Saturday said his lungs are working to reduce the pope’s nighttime reliance on non-invasive ventilation masks that allow for more movement.
The doctors stressed that although the Pope’s condition is stable, he still “needs to hospitalize for treatment along with physical and respiratory therapy, which show further progressive improvements,” the Vatican said on Saturday in its first medical update three days later.
The next update will not be issued until mid-week, according to the Vatican.
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