Pope Francis released an audio message to the faithful, the first communication from the pontiff since his hospitalization last month.
The brief statement was released to reporters via the Holy See Press Office on Thursday in an audio file and revealed to the faithful who gathered in St. Peter’s Square for a nightly recitation of the rosary.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square. I
accompany you from here,” the pope said in the 30-second message.
“May God bless you and the Virgin protect you,” he added. “Thank you.”
The pope’s voice in the message, which was delivered in his native Spanish, was noticeably scratchy and weak, a sign of the toll nearly three weeks in the hospital battling a respiratory illness has taken.
Despite Pope Francis’s weak voice, the Holy See said his health is gradually improving, and he “remained stable compared to previous days” with no “episodes of respiratory insufficiency.”
The Holy See reported that he is alert and active and has been alternating between rest and prayer, sometimes in the hospital chapel. He has also been receiving the Eucharist regularly.
The pope has done light administrative work while hospitalized and, on Wednesday, “participated in the rite of the blessing of the Sacred Ashes, which were imposed on him by the celebrant” — a Catholic ritual marking the beginning of Lent.
The Vatican’s press office, known as the Sala Stampa, has been updating reporters multiple times a day since the pope was hospitalized. However, there will not be a health update on Friday “in view of the stability of the clinical picture.”
Doctors have said Pope Francis’s condition remains “stable,” but the prognosis is “reserved” due to the pontiff’s age and the severity of the affliction.
He has been receiving treatment at Gemelli University Polyclinic since he was first admitted on Feb. 14.
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There is a long-standing precedent not to film or photograph the pope during a life-threatening illness in order to maintain their dignity.
Catholics have been gathering nightly outside St. Peter’s Basilica for the rosary recitations offered for the pope’s sake. The prayers are led each night by a different member of the College of Cardinals.
The pope has also received letters from children around the world wishing him well.
