Vatican Releases First Photo Of Pope Francis Since He Fell Sick And Was Admitted To Hospital

Pope Francis

The first image of Pope Francis since he was admitted to the hospital a month ago, has been released by the Vatican.

The photo, released on Sunday, March 16, shows the pontiff sitting in a wheelchair in front of an altar at a chapel in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he has been recovering from pneumonia.

Earlier on Sunday, in his written Angelus message, the Pope said he faced a "period of trial" as he thanked well-wishers for their prayers, and prayed for peace in "countries wounded by war".

The Vatican said some days ago that an X-ray had confirmed "improvements" in his condition, but that he still needed hospital treatment.

"The Holy Father still requires hospital medical therapy, motor and respiratory physiotherapy," it said in a statement on Saturday, adding that they were "showing further, gradual improvements".

Pope Francis, 88, has not been seen in public since his admission to hospital on 14 February - and until Sunday, no photographs had been released.