Vatican Releases First Photo Of Pope Francis In Hospital: Middle Following Mass Together

Pope Francis in the chapel located in Gemelli Hospital. (Source/@salastampaVaticana)

JAKARTA - The Vatican on Sunday released the first photo of Pope Francis in hospital since he began treatment for double pneumonia.

In the image shared, Pope Francis can be seen from behind, sitting facing the altar in a chapel in the hospital. His face was visible and his right hand was on his lap. There is no sign he received additional oxygen that had been given to him during his treatment.

The Vatican said the photo was taken on Sunday, when the Pope celebrated Mass with other priests in the chapel, quoted from Reuters March 17.

The 88-year-old whale has been hospitalized at Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy since February 14 due to severe respiratory infections requiring growing treatment.

Since then, the leader of the World Catholic Church has not been seen in public since then.

In its latest medical update issued on Saturday, the Vatican said Pope Francis was gradually improving and using less mechanical ventilation at night to help breathing.

The Pope is described to be in stable condition or improving for nearly two weeks, but the Vatican has not provided a timeframe for his repatriation, saying his recovery is slow.

Pope Francis is known to be vulnerable to lung infection due to a history of inflammation of the chest membrane he has suffered and part of his lungs have been removed.

He has received breathing physiotherapy to help his breathing and physical therapy to help his mobility.

The Pope has also been using wheelchairs in recent years due to knee and back pain.

Last week, Pope Francis celebrated his 12th anniversary of his election as a pope from the hospital.

On Saturday, the Vatican announced Pope Francis had approved a three-year process to consider reforms for the global Catholic Church, as a sign he intends to continue his post as a pope, despite health problems.