The Vatican shared the first photo of Pope Francis in over a month on March 16, amid his recent health scare.
The photograph, which comes after the pope, 88, was hospitalized in February with double pneumonia, shows the leader of the Catholic church celebrating Mass.
In the caption, the Vatican wrote in Italian, "Questa mattina #PapaFrancesco ha concelebrato la Santa Messa nella cappella dell’appartamento al decimo piano del Policlinico Gemelli."
Translated on X via Google, the Vatican wrote that Francis celebrated Holy Mass in the chapel on the 10th floor of Rome's Gemelli hospital.
In the photo, Francis sat in front of an altar in purple vestments for the Lenten season.
The pope, who has chronic lung disease, was admitted to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing. The pope was in critical condition with pneumonia in both lungs, requiring blood transfusions and oxygen therapy.
In early March, Francis was considered in stable condition, where he remains as of March 15, according to an update from the Vatican.
“High-flow oxygen therapy continues, progressively reducing the need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation during the night,” the Vatican wrote in the update. “The Holy Father still requires hospital medical care, as well as physiotherapy and respiratory physiotherapy. These therapies are currently showing further, gradual improvements.”
On March 6, the pope thanked supporters for their prayers in an audio message broadcast from the hospital.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the square, I accompany you from here,” he said in the message. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”
