The Holy See press office has released a photograph of Pope Francis after concelebrating Holy Mass on Sunday, March 16, in the chapel of the tenth floor apartment of the Gemelli Polyclinic.
Seated almost on his back, seated in a wheelchair and dressed in a purple alb and stole after concelebrating Mass, Pope Francis looks at the crucifix on the altar of the tenth-floor chapel, where he goes daily to pray since his health condition has improved slightly. This is the first image of the Pontiff since his hospitalization.
The situation remains stable, as has been confirmed in recent days, although the clinical picture continues to be described as "complex" by the medical team, according to the latest reports. Because of this stability, medical updates have begun to be less frequent in recent days. Even so, the Holy See Press Office keeps journalists informed on a daily basis, and since the beginning of his hospitalization there have been more than 700 accredited journalists.
A testing moment
In the Angelus text prepared by the Pope, Francis pointed out that illness is a period to love and pray, and encouraged to face this time of trial to unite oneself to God. He also stressed the importance of being light in the midst of suffering, recalling that God never abandons and places at our side people who reflect his love, especially in hospitals and places of assistance.
He thanked those who take care of him with dedication and feels the support of those who pray for him, especially the children, to whom he expressed his affection. From the Gemelli Hospital, he keeps in his heart the countries hit by war, such as Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and Sudan.
Finally, he reaffirmed his commitment to a more synodal Church, after approving last week a process to implement the final document of Synod 2024 and move towards a new ecclesial assembly in 2028.
