"It's a good sign" - faithful relieved after release of first photo of Pope Francis in hospital

Record ID: 1983860

  • Title: "It's a good sign" - faithful relieved after release of first photo of Pope Francis in hospital
  • Date: 17th March 2025
  • Summary: ROME, ITALY (MARCH 17, 2025) (REUTERS) VIEW OF "AGOSTINO GEMELLI" HOSPITAL VARIOUS OF ENTRANCE STATUE OF LATE POPE JOHN PAUL II / CANDLES AND FLOWERS AT BASE OF STATUE (SOUNDBITE) (English) VISITOR, SANDRA LIBLAN, SAYING: "I think it's a good sign that he was able to go to the church again and that he is in the best way to his recover." (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) FAITHFUL, ANTO
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: AGOSTINO GEMELLI HOSPITAL HEALTH ITALY PNEUMONIA POPE FRANCIS ROME
  • Location: ROME, ITALY
  • City: ROME, ITALY
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Europe,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA001933217032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: FOR THE PHOTO OF POPE, PLEASE LOOK FOR EDIT 9261-POPE-FRANCIS/HEALTH-STILL PUBLISHED EARLIER ON MARCH 16, 2025
    The faithful and well-wishers on Monday (March 17) were comforted after the Vatican released the first image of Pope Francis in hospital since he began treatment for double pneumonia, in which the 88-year-old pontiff appeared to be breathing unaided.
    The pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment. He has not been seen in public since.
    Francis is pictured from behind, sitting facing the altar in a chapel at the hospital. The side of his face is visible and his right hand rests on his lap. There is no sign that he is receiving the supplementary oxygen that he has been given throughout his stay.
    The Vatican said the photo was taken on Sunday (March 16), when the pope celebrated Mass with other priests in the chapel.
    In its latest medical update, issued on Saturday (March 15), the Vatican said Francis was gradually improving and was using less mechanical ventilation at night to help with breathing.
    (Production: Gabriele Pileri, Lavinia Sdoga, Fabiano Franchitti)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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