Rome [Italy], March 17: The Vatican has released the first photo of Pope Francis since he was hospitalized more than a month ago, showing him celebrating Mass on March 16 (local time) in the chapel in his hospital room.
The release of the photo is significant because the 89-year-old Pope has not appeared in public since being admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome (Italy) on February 14 with double pneumonia and experiencing dangerous respiratory failure.
The photo shows the Argentine pontiff wearing a white robe and a purple stole, but without his customary white skull cap. He is seated in a wheelchair in front of a simple altar with a crucifix on the wall. The Vatican said the photo was taken on the morning of March 16.
Shot from behind on the right, the Pope's face is not clearly visible but his eyes are open and looking down.
"This morning, Pope Francis concelebrated Mass in the chapel on the 10th floor of the Gemelli Hospital," the Vatican press office wrote in the caption of the photo. Concelebration is a communal celebration of high-ranking clergy.
Since being hospitalized, the Pope has not been able to preside over Mass, nor has he personally recited the Angelus prayer after Mass for the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
On March 15, the Vatican said the Pope's health had steadily improved over the previous week, although he still needed to remain in hospital for treatment.
Although he has yet to appear at the window of his private room on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital, this did not stop a stream of well-wishers from gathering outside, including tango dancers and dozens of children on March 16.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
