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Pope Francis shares first audio message since hospitalization: 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart'

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Published  March 6, 2025 6:32pm PST
Religion
FOX TV Digital Team

Pope Francis shares first audio message since hospitalization

Pope Francis, 88, has spoken publicly for the first time since being hospitalized three weeks ago with double pneumonia.

ROME - For the first time in three weeks, Pope Francis addressed the public in a frail yet powerful audio message from his hospital room, thanking those gathered in St. Peter’s Square for their prayers as he continues to battle double pneumonia.

The Brief

    • Pope Francis, hospitalized for three weeks with double pneumonia, has spoken publicly for the first time.
    • In a weak and breathless audio message, he thanked the faithful for their prayers.
    • The Vatican says Francis remains in stable condition, but his prognosis remains guarded.
    • The pope is receiving oxygen therapy and respiratory treatments as he continues recovery.

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health," Francis said in Spanish, his voice noticeably weak and breathless. "I accompany you from here. May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you."

The message, played during a nightly rosary prayer service, was met with applause from the crowd, marking a rare public connection with the pope since his hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14.

Nuns react to hearing pope Francis' recorded voice address as worshippers gather for the start of the evening Rosary prayer in St Peter's Square on March 6, 2025 in Vatican City, Italy. 

How serious is Pope Francis' condition?

Timeline:

  • 3 weeks in the hospital: The pope has been sidelined longer than at any other point in his 12-year papacy.
  • 88 years old: Francis has a history of chronic lung disease and previously had part of one lung removed as a young man.
  • 3 full days of stability: Doctors say he has not had another respiratory crisis since Monday.
  • Ongoing oxygen therapy: He sleeps with a non-invasive mechanical mask and uses a nasal tube during the day.

Despite recent stability, the Vatican says his prognosis remains guarded, meaning he is not fully out of danger.

Will Pope Francis return to his full duties?

What's next:

Doctors say no further medical updates are expected until Saturday, suggesting that his condition is stable enough for them to space out reports. Meanwhile, the Vatican announced that a planned spiritual retreat for the Holy See hierarchy will proceed without Francis, though he will join in "spiritual communion."

His health struggles have raised questions about the future of his papacy, though he has continued working, resting, and praying from the 10th-floor papal suite at Gemelli hospital.

For now, the faithful worldwide remain on watch, awaiting further updates on his recovery.

The Source: This report is based on official Vatican updates, medical statements from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, and reports from the Associated Press.

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