On Sunday, the Vatican released a photo of Pope Francis for the first time in over a month. The image depicts the Pope in a three-quarter view from behind wearing a purple stole, typical of Lenten liturgical attire. He is seated in a wheelchair in front of the altar in his private hospital chapel. The photo indicates his participation in a Mass celebration alongside other priests in the papal apartment on the 10th floor of the Gemelli hospital. Pope Francis was hospitalized on February 14 due to chronic bronchitis, which escalated into double pneumonia.
There were no visible signs of supplemental oxygen, as mentioned in previous medical updates. Doctors announced the Pope is no longer in a critical, life-threatening state, but highlighted the complex nature of his condition due to age, loss of mobility, and having lost part of a lung in his youth. On March 6, an audio recording captured the Pope expressing thanks for prayers in a frail and labored voice. As his health improved, the Vatican shifted to less frequent updates. An X-ray confirmed the infection was subsiding.
The latest medical report stated efforts were underway to decrease the Pope’s dependence on a non-invasive ventilation mask during nighttime to enhance lung function. During waking hours, he receives high-flow supplemental oxygen through a nasal tube, although such equipment was not evident in the new photo.
Earlier in the day, children from conflict-affected countries gathered outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital, carrying yellow and white balloons. They assembled to greet Pope Francis on his fifth Sunday in the hospital. Although he did not show himself from the 10th-floor suite, he acknowledged the children’s presence and thanked them in the traditional Sunday blessing.
“I know that many children are praying for me; some of them came here today to Gemelli as a sign of closeness,” he said in the Angélus message prepared for the traditional prayer, which was not delivered live. The Reverend Enzo Fortunato, the president of the pontifical committee for World Children’s Day who organized the event, considered the gathering of children as spiritual medicine for Francis, emphasizing it as “the most beautiful caress.”
A small delegation of children, carrying balloons in Vatican flag colors, briefly visited the hospital and left drawings, messages, and flowers. Many children were from impoverished Italian regions or nations impacted by war, having arrived in Italy via humanitarian corridors established by the Sant’Egidio charity in cooperation with the Italian government. This includes children from Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Gaza, South America, and Africa. One young visitor, twelve-year-old Anastasia, traveled from Naples, eager to hand her message directly to the Pope. “Pope Francis, get well and return home soon,” she wrote. “We love you, all of the children are praying for you.”
Andrea Iacomini, UNICEF’s spokesman in Italy, noted the visit demonstrated affection for the Pope and aimed to emphasize the impact of conflicts on 500 million children in 59 countries. “This Pope is not just a religious leader; he is a great global leader. A man of peace. This pope is the pope of the children,” Iacomini declared.
Typically, Pope Francis delivers the Angelus from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, which has seen increased visitors due to the Jubilee year he initiated in December. In written remarks, Francis expressed thoughts for others in fragile conditions, stating, “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.”
Pilgrims have added a stop at Gemelli, a mere 15-minute train ride from the Vatican, to their itineraries alongside visits to St. Peter’s Basilica’s Holy Door. The Pope has not been seen publicly since his hospital admission, triggered by bronchitis that left him struggling to speak. This compounded into double pneumonia and a complex polymicrobial infection. The early part of his hospitalization saw various complications including respiratory crises, mild kidney failure, and severe coughing fits. Recent progress in his condition has brought stability. The Vatican mentioned the next medical update won’t be available until mid-week.
