Pope, weak but stable, thank the well -wishers for the prayers in an audio message | News of religion

Pope Francis has been hospitalized with double pneumonia for three weeks, his most long absence of the papacy so far.

Pope Francis released an audio message, thanked the well -wishers around the world, who pray for his restoration, his first public life sign as he was hospitalized three weeks ago.

The short, two -row message was recorded by Francis on Thursday by Gemeli Hospital in Rome and aired to the faithful ones who had gathered at St. Peter's Square of the Vatican for the Night recitation of Rosary's prayer.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the square, I accompany you from here,” said the Pope, speaking quietly in his native Spanish and with labor breaths.

“May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you. “

The worshipers gathered at St. Peter Square every night since the hospitalization of the 88-year-old Pontiff of February 14S The hundreds of people applauded when they heard the message.

On Friday, the Vatican said the Pope had a “peaceful night” to rest and woke up shortly before 8 am.

Initially, Francis was diagnosed with bronchitis, but this developed in pneumonia in both lungs, requiring continuously developing treatment and encouraging alarm around the world. Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can ignite and mark both the lungs, which impedes breathing.

The Pope has not been observed in public since his entry into hospital, his most long absence, since his papacy as the head of the Catholic Church began 12 years ago. His doctors have not said how long treatment can last.

The Vatican provides updates twice a day for his health, one morning and in an evening medical newsletter. On Thursday, he said Francis was in a “stable” state for the third day in a row.

Nevertheless, “doctors are still maintaining a preserved forecast,” the Vatican said, as they are not sure how his condition will develop.

Pope Francis releases an audio message to thank everyone who is praying for his health.

The audio video was broadcast on St. Peter Square on Thursday, March 6, with Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime leading the Night Prayer on the rosary.https://t.co/owgis4dsgx Pic.twitter.com/bi7ntazdrs

– Vatican News (@vaticannews) March 6, 2025

Francis missed the official ashes of ashes on Wednesday in Rome, marking the beginning of the post, the six -week period leading to Easter, but participated in a blessing in his private apartment.

During previous hospitalizations, the Pope appeared on the hospital's balcony because of his weekly Angel prayer at noon on Sunday. However, he missed the last three and has not yet been announced whether it will appear this weekend.

The Vatican confirmed on Thursday that senior Cardinal Michael Cherni will stand for Francis and lead the table marking the first Sunday of Lent this weekend.

Francis has experienced several attacks of poor health over the last two years and is predisposed to pulmonary infections as it has pleurisy, inflammation of the lungs, which can cause acute chest pain as a young adult and is removed from a lung.

Pope's health has led to a lot of speculation, especially among his critics, whether he can decide to resigned as his predecessor Benedict XVIS