Pope Francis was photographed for the first time since his hospitalisation in mid-February. The photo shows the 88-year-old pontiff concelebrating Mass at the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Sunday, March 16.
Pope Francis was captured seated in a wheelchair, dressed in alb and stole, during a Mass held in the private chapel on the hospital’s tenth floor. He appeared to be praying before the altar, with his attention focused on the crucifix. The photograph was released by the Holy See Press Office.
The Vatican press confirmed that this was the first Mass he had concelebrated in the hospital, although he had been participating in daily Eucharist and liturgies in previous weeks.
Since his admission to the Gemelli hospital on 14 February, the Pope’s condition has remained stable, and his medical care, including respiratory and physiotherapy treatments, continues, the Vatican reported.
Around 200 children gathered outside Gemelli Hospital on Sunday in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Pope.
