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Vatican releases first photo of Pope Francis after month in hospital

By Dorothy Cummings McLeanMarch 17, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Vatican releases first photo of Pope Francis after month in hospital
Sala Stampa | Pope Francis in hospital, March 2025

On March 16, the Holy See Press Office released a photograph of Pope Francis sitting in the chapel of his suite at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

Updated.

(LifeSiteNews) – The Vatican has released a photo of Pope Francis in hospital.

Yesterday, March 16, the Holy See Press Office released a photograph of the Argentinian pontiff sitting in a chapel in his suite at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. It is the first photograph of Pope Francis released since he entered the hospital just over a month ago.

In a bulletin released on Saturday, March 15, doctors said that the 88-year-old Pope still needs motor and respiratory therapy and must stay in hospital. However, they also indicated that his condition is improving.

Francis was admitted to hospital on February 14.

Today the Vatican issued an update on the pontiff's health, saying that he had experienced "slight improvements" with respiratory and motor therapy. At times, he can do without "oxygen  therapy," but at night he uses "noninvasive" mechanical ventilation.

The Holy See also addressed a worrisome detail in the photo it released yesterday, saying that Pope Francis' swollen hand was caused merely by his decreased mobility and had already improved today.

Meanwhile, the Pope is said to have spent today, Monday, between prayer, rest and some work.

Faith & Religion
March 17, 2025 at 9:13 AM
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Dorothy Cummings McLean

Dorothy Cummings McLean is a Canadian journalist, essayist, and novelist. She earned an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Toronto and an M.Div./S.T.B. from Toronto’s Regis College. She was a columnist for the Toronto Catholic Register for nine years and has contributed to Catholic World Report. Her first book, Seraphic Singles,  was published by Novalis (2010) in Canada, Liguori in the USA, and Homo Dei in Poland. Her second, Ceremony of Innocence, was published by Ignatius Press (2013). Dorothy lives near Edinburgh, Scotland with her husband.
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  • On March 16, the Holy See Press Office released a photograph of Pope Francis sitting in the chapel of his suite at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

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