The Vatican has released the first photograph of Pope Francis since he was rushed to hospital more than a month ago with pneumonia.
The leader of the Catholic church had not been seen since he was admitted at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome in February.
Just a week later, the Pontiff’s condition was described as critical as it was reported he required breathing assistance.
The Pope’s condition is now stable amid a continuing battle with pneumonia and onset kidney failure.
The newly released photo shows the Pope celebrating a mass in his prayer room earlier this morning.
Earlier today the Pope issued his prayer from his hospital bed, saying he faces a ‘period of trial’.
It is the fifth week in a row that the Pontiff has had to issue the prayer as a written text as he continues his recovery from double pneumonia at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
However his age and lack of mobility means that he remains in a physically vulnerable state.
A statement from the Vatican said: ‘This morning Pope Francis concelebrated the Holy Mass in the chapel of the apartment on the 10th floor of the Policlinico Gemelli.’
In his prayer, The 88-year-old also took time to pay thanks to the medical staff who have been treating him during his latest sickness.
He said: ‘How much light shines, in this sense, in hospitals and places of care!
‘How much loving care illuminates the rooms, the corridors, the clinics, the places where the humblest services are performed!’
Recent reports have suggested an improvement in the state of the Pope’s health following his treatment for double pneumonia.
The Argentina-born religious figurehead has chronic lung disease and still requires hospital care, but is in a ‘stable’ condition and showing ‘gradual improvements,’ Vatican News reported.
Francis has been using high flows of supplemental oxygen to help him breathe during the day and a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night.
He had not been seen in public since entering hospital and his doctors have not said how long the treatment might last.
Doctors not involved in Francis’s care have said the Pope is likely to face a long, fraught road to recovery, given his age and other factors.
The pontiff was initially hospitalized on Valentine’s Day for a bad case of bronchitis.
The infection then progressed into a complex respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia that has sidelined the Pope for the longest period of his 12-year papacy.
Pope Francis, who is well-known as a controversial advocate for social justice, also sent words of hope to nations around the world beset by military conflict.
The pontiff offered prayers to ‘countries wounded by war…tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.’
Timeline of the Pope’s hospitalisation
February 14
Pope Francis is hospitalized with bronchitis and a slight fever immediately following a morning of audiences.
Doctors diagnose respiratory tract infection. Two subsequent events in the following days are canceled, and a cardinal is slotted in for the pope to celebrate a Sunday Jubilee Mass.
February 15
Francis’ fever breaks while respiratory infection continues. Doctors order ‘absolute rest.’ Delivery of traditional noon blessing for Sunday is canceled.
February 16
Condition stable (stationary), pope follows Mass on television.
February 17
Pope Francis is diagnosed with polymicrobial (bacterial, viral and fungal) infection in the respiratory passages, marking a setback.
Treatment adjusted. Wednesday general audience canceled.
February 18
Chest scan indicates Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both lungs, marking another setback.
Cortisone and antibiotic treatments are confirmed. Jubilee audience on Saturday is canceled.
February 19
Condition stable with blood exams indicating levels of inflammation improving. Premier Giorgia Meloni visits, first known outside visitor.
February 20
Pope’s condition improves slightly.
February 21
Pope’s doctors say at a news conference that the pope remains in critical condition and isn’t out of danger, but that his condition isn’t imminently life-threatening.
Doctors say the pope has developed steroid-induced diabetes that is being treated. Warn of sepsis risk. Prognosis is guarded.
February 22
Pope in critical condition after experiencing a respiratory crisis and requires high-pressure oxygen through nasal tubes, in the first mention of assisted breathing.
Francis also receives two blood transfusions after tests show signs of anemia and low platelet count that later are resolved. Setback.
February 23
Doctors report that the pope has gone into onset of slight kidney failure, in a setback. No repeat of the respiratory crisis, but he remains in critical condition.
February 24
Doctors report slight improvement. No crises. Mild renal failure isn’t causing concern.
February 25
Condition remains critical, but stable. No acute respiratory episodes. Underwent chest scan to monitor double pneumonia. Prognosis remains reserved.
February 26
The mild renal failure has regressed, in an improvement. Continues to receive oxygen through nasal tubes, and undergoes respiratory physiotherapy.
Doctors no longer refer to condition being critical, but repeat prognosis is guarded.
February 27
Doctors say a chest CT scan taken a day earlier shows the ‘normal evolution’ of pneumonia infection as it’s being treated. Again no reference to critical condition.
February 28
Pope suffers isolated coughing spasm during which he inhaled vomit, in a setback requiring noninvasive aspiration to remove.
Responded well. Placed on a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask to pump supplemental oxygen into his lungs. Prognosis remains guarded.
March 1
Condition stable after respiratory crisis. Pope alternates noninvasive mechanic ventilation mask with long periods of nasal tube with high flows of supplemental oxygen.
March 2
Condition stable. No need for noninvasive mechanical ventilation, just the nasal tube high pressure oxygen therapy. Pope participated in Mass.
March 3
Two acute bronchospasm episodes in a setback requiring bronchoscopies, or a camera-tipped tube with a device to remove mucus plugs, yielding abundant secretions.
Restarted the noninvasive mechanical ventilation. Pope remained alert, oriented and collaborative during maneuvers. Prognosis remains guarded.
March 4
Stable condition with no crises. Pope is alternating high-flow delivery of oxygen through nasal tubes by day to noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask delivery by night.
March 5
Stable condition with no incidences of respiratory crisis. Physical therapy added to the course of respiratory therapy.
Spent the day in an armchair working, including a call to the parish priest of Gaza.
March 6
Stable condition with no incidences of respiratory crisis. Physical therapy and respiratory therapy continue, work alternating with rest and prayer.
Pope records an audio message that is broadcast to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square thanking them for their prayers.
His voice is weak and he’s out of breath.
March 7
Stable condition, continuing respiratory therapy.
March 8
Doctors say continued stability shows Francis is responding well to treatment and showing ‘gradual, slight improvement.’ Prognosis remains guarded.
March 9
Pope Francis continues to gradually improve and remains in a ‘stable’ condition in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, according to the Holy See Press Office on Sunday evening.
March 15
The pontiff is experiencing ‘gradual improvments,’ with the Holy See confirming that the Pope is still undergoing high-flow oxygen therapy in the day in order to progressively reduce the need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation during the night.
March 16
The first picture of the Pope is released by the Vatican since he was admitted to hospital.
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