The first photo of Pope Francis since his hospitalization was released by the Holy See Press Office on Sunday evening, 16 March. The image, taken from behind, shows the Pope seated in a wheelchair wearing a cassock and stole after concelebrating Mass. He is seen praying before the crucifix in the chapel on the tenth floor of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment since 14 February.
For days, journalists and the public had been eager for an image of the Holy Father. The last photos of him were taken over a month ago, before his hospitalization, during a meeting with Spain’s Gaudium et Spes Foundation at Casa Santa Marta. While few have seen him in person during his stay at Gemelli, his voice was heard in an audio message played on 6 March during the Rosary in St. Peter’s Square, where he thanked the faithful for their prayers.
On Sunday morning, around 200 children from UNICEF and various Italian groups gathered outside Gemelli Hospital, bringing flowers, balloons, and a symbolic embrace for the Pope. Looking up at the hospital’s tenth floor, they hoped to catch a glimpse of him or receive a surprise greeting.
A Message of Strength in Suffering
In his prepared remarks for the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis reflected on the Transfiguration, emphasizing that even in suffering, faith and love continue to shine. “Our bodies are weak, but even like this, nothing can prevent us from loving, praying, giving ourselves, being shining signs of hope for one another in faith,” he said.
He acknowledged the light that shines in hospitals and places of care, where humble acts of service reflect God’s love. Thanking those who have prayed for him, especially children who visited Gemelli, he reassured them, saying, “The Pope loves you and is always looking forward to meeting you.”
A Stable but Complex Condition
According to the Holy See Press Office, Pope Francis continues to balance prayer, rest, and therapy—both respiratory and physiotherapy, which has been particularly beneficial. His medical condition remains stable but complex, leading to less frequent medical bulletins.
As he endures this “period of trial,” the Pope unites his suffering with that of others facing illness, offering prayers for them as well. He also renewed his prayers for peace, especially in war-torn nations including Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, he called for prayers for the Church as it continues its synodal journey.
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