Vatican Shares the First Photo of Pope Francis Since His Hospitalization

The Vatican recently shared a photo of Pope Francis, marking the first image captured of him since he was hospitalized. The picture sparked an online discussion among netizens who are still concerned about the pope. Some are even unsure of whether the man in the photo really is Pope Francis.

In the photo, Pope Francis, draped in his traditional white cassock with a purple stole, sat in quiet contemplation before a modest altar adorned with fresh flowers, flickering candles, and a simple crucifix.

The intimate setting, reminiscent of a private chapel, exuded a profound sense of serenity — a sacred refuge for the 88-year-old pontiff, whose health has been a subject of growing concern.

“The Holy See Press Office has released a picture of Pope Francis in prayer after concelebrating the Eucharist this morning. It’s the first to be released since the Pope’s hospitalisation [sic] on 14 February,” reads the post” caption.

Netizens wasted no time in taking to social media platforms to share their reactions. “He doesn’t look alive. It’s a weekend at Bernies [sic] situation. Oh dear, things are not good,” opined someone on Reddit.

A Facebooker chimed in with, “That’s not him, this is a clone 🤣.” Expressing a similar sentiment, a fellow spectator wondered, “Is that the pope? Looks like he got a tan.” “The sad look of a man in his final stages of life reflecting on his service to God n humanity [sic],” penned an observer. Someone else added, “Even looks unconscious.”

“It’s his eyes, that’s what people want to see,” declared an observer. While many people noted their doubts about the pope’s identity in the photo, one supporter expressed, “Im glad hes recovering bc i didnt really think he would. Definitely still looking pretty rough but way better than how he was and hopefully he keeps going up [sic].”

According to the Vatican News, the photo of Pope Francis was taken on the tenth floor of the hospital “where the pope has gone to pray every day since his medical condition has shown slight improvements.” For weeks, the public and journalists alike have been eager for a new image of Pope Francis.

The last glimpses of him date back to over a month ago when he met with members of Spain’s Gaudium et Spes Foundation at his Santa Marta residence before being hospitalized.

Since then, only his medical team and closest aides have seen him in person. However, his voice was heard on March 6, 2025, during an audio message played at a Rosary gathering in Saint Peter’s Square, where he offered a blessing and expressed gratitude for the prayers sent his way.

One morning, around 200 children from UNICEF and other Italian groups gathered outside Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, bringing flowers, balloons, and an outpouring of love. They gazed up at the tenth-floor windows, hopeful for a brief appearance or a blessing from the ailing pontiff.

As Pope Francis continues his recovery, his days remain structured around prayer, rest, and therapy —including medication, respiratory treatments, and physiotherapy. According to the Holy See Press Office, he has responded particularly well to the physiotherapy sessions.

Despite his ongoing health struggles, he maintains a stable condition, though doctors still describe his case as “complex.”

The Vatican has been providing daily health updates to the growing number of accredited journalists — now numbering 700. With fewer medical bulletins due to his stable condition, the Pope remains focused on his spiritual mission even from his hospital bed.

In his Angelus reflections on March 16, he referred to this period as a “trial” and expressed solidarity with others who are suffering, acknowledging that he, too, feels “fragile” in this moment.

In addition to the photo and aforementioned reflections, the Holy See Press Office also provided a health update on March 17. His medical team reports that he now requires high-flow oxygen therapy through nasal cannulas less frequently and can sometimes manage without it altogether.

At night, he continues to rely on non-invasive mechanical ventilation to support his breathing. Additionally, soncerns arose over visible swelling in his hand, as seen in the recently published photograph.

However, doctors attribute this to limited mobility and have confirmed that the swelling has already improved.

Despite his health challenges, the Pope spent his day in prayer, rest, and light work. The Vatican has scheduled the next official medical update for Wednesday, as the Holy See continues to monitor his progress closely.

As mentioned earlier on, prior to this most recent update and the newly released photo, Pope Francis expressed gratitude to the public through a special audio message recorded from his hospital room.

On March 7, Vatican News shared the message, which was originally broadcast in St. Peter’s Square on the evening of March 6, sparking a buzz online.

The message, spoken in Spanish, was played at the start of the nightly Rosary prayer led by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Addressing those gathered, Pope Francis said, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from [St. Peter’s] Square. I accompany you from here. May God bless you, and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”

The 88-year-old Pontiff has been hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since February 14, 2025, receiving treatment for bilateral pneumonia.

Since February 24, thousands of worshippers, along with Cardinals residing in Rome, members of the Roman Curia, and clergy from the Diocese of Rome, have gathered nightly in St. Peter’s Square to pray the Holy Rosary for the Pope’s recovery.

The audio message, shared almost three weeks after the Pope’s hospitalization, was described by many as emotional and significant. Believers from around the world responded to the recording with a wide range of reactions, some expressing concern over the Pope’s frail voice.

On YouTube, one person commented, “Why is his face and voice different, is it the same person [sic]?” Another wrote, “He sounds so frail, sending my prayers for healing to Pope Francis [sic].” A third viewer simply noted, “Doesn’t sound [sic] him at all.”

Comments on X also reflected both worry and admiration for Pope Francis. One netizen posted, “Even tho only his voice, it touches me and so moving. Obviously weak but his strength in spirit is admirable [sic].”

Another remarked, “Can’t be sure when this was recorded, but indeed these could be the last words of Francis. Pray for the Church [sic].”

Others expressed hope and appreciation for the Pope’s words. One comment read, “It is so beautiful to hear the Holy Father’s voice, [sic] God bless him.” Another commenter wondered, “Sounded so weak…wonder if he intended it to be his final message to us.”

Some viewers held onto optimism, with one posting, “Nice to hear His Holiness is recovering, if only a bit. Let’s keep the prayers up!”

On March 6, the Holy See Press Office provided a medical update, confirming that the Pope’s condition has remained stable in recent days. The statement noted that Pope Francis did not experience respiratory insufficiency that day. He continued undergoing both respiratory and motor physiotherapy, which was reported to have beneficial effects.

His vital signs, including hemodynamic parameters and blood test results, were described as stable. The statement also confirmed that the Pope had no fever. However, the prognosis remains reserved, meaning the situation still requires careful monitoring.

The Pope maintained his regular schedule of alternating between work, prayer, and rest. Before lunch, he also received the Eucharist, according to the Vatican’s statement.

The March 6 update followed a previous health scare on February 28, when the Pope experienced a sudden episode of bronchospasm. According to the Holy See Press Office, the incident occurred after the Pope spent the morning in respiratory therapy and prayer in the hospital chapel.

The bronchospasm caused the Pope to vomit, and some of the vomit was accidentally inhaled, which temporarily worsened his respiratory condition.

Medical staff performed a bronchial aspiration to clear his airways and placed him on non-invasive mechanical ventilation. This treatment helped improve his oxygen levels.

Despite the severity of the episode, the Pope remained conscious and alert throughout the event, actively cooperating with his medical team. At the time, Vatican officials said that it would take at least 24 to 48 hours to fully evaluate the Pope’s condition after the bronchospasm.

Even while hospitalized, Pope Francis remained involved in spiritual leadership. On March 5, his homily for Ash Wednesday was read on his behalf by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis at Rome’s Basilica of Saint Sabina.

Before reading the homily, Cardinal De Donatis acknowledged the Pope’s absence and invited the faithful to feel united with him during this time. The homily itself emphasized themes of humility, mortality, and hope.

The Pope reflected on the symbolism of ashes, reminding the faithful that they serve both as a reminder of human fragility and a symbol of hope.

He stated, “We bow our heads in order to receive the ashes, as if to look at ourselves, to look within ourselves. Indeed, the ashes help to remind us that our lives are fragile and insignificant: we are dust, from dust we were created, and to dust we shall return.”

At the same time, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of hope rooted in faith. He said, “The ashes remind us of the hope to which we are called in Jesus, the Son of God, who has taken upon himself the dust of the earth and raised it to the heights of heaven.”