Vatican releases first image of Pope Francis since he fell ill

The Vatican has released the first image of Pope Francis since he was taken to hospital more than a month ago.

The photograph shows the leader of the Catholic church celebrating a mass in his prayer room on Sunday morning.

He’s seen wearing a purple stole while sitting in a wheelchair in front of an altar.

No one else is visible in the image.

“This morning Pope Francis concelebrated the Holy Mass in the chapel of the apartment on the 10th floor of the Policlinico Gemelli,” a Vatican statement read.

The 88-year-old pontiff is being treated at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome – and he has not been seen since being admitted.

Doctors at the facility say he is no longer in a critical condition – having been admitted with bronchitis on 14 February and later diagnosed with double pneumonia and a polymicrobial infection.

But those looking after him stress that his age and lack of mobility mean his situation remains complex.

Earlier, the Pope said he was facing a “period of trial” as he issued his traditional Sunday prayer from hospital.

He thanked worshippers for “all your prayers”, expressing his gratitude to those “who assist me with such dedication”.

“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,” he said.

Praising his medical team, 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!”

The pontiff also offered his prayers to “countries wounded by war… tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo”.

Pope Francis – whose pre-papal name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio – was elected as the 266th pope in March 2013.

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