Pope Francis releases audio message from hospital

Pope Francis has been heard for the first time since he was admitted into hospital last month, as the Vatican made a surprise move. Listen to his message.

Pope Francis recorded and released an audio message thanking those who have been praying for his recovery, his voice breathless as he nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here,” Francis said in a message broadcast in St Peter’s Square on Thursday.

“May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you,” he said, taking laboured breaths as he spoke in his native Spanish, with some words fading away into nothing.

It was the first time the world has heard Francis’s voice since the 88-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14.

Pilgrims have been gathering in St Peter’s Square every evening to pray for the pope’s recovery. The hundreds of people there on Thursday applauded when they heard his message.

Pope Francis remains in a stable condition and has not presented any further respiratory issues, the latest Vatican update has revealed.

Italian cardinal Angelo De Donatis lead the holy mass at the Church of Saint Sabina in Rome during the celebration of Ash Wednesday in the pope’s stead. Picture: AFP

But in a surprising move the Vatican will halt releasing daily updates on Francis and said it will not provide another update until Saturday, meaning it will miss providing information on Friday local time.

“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father remained stable compared to previous days,” the Vatican update said.

“Even today he did not present episodes of respiratory failure”.

The 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church has continued to benefit from respiratory and motor physiotherapy and his blood tests remained stable.

The Vatican said he “did not present fever” and “doctors are still maintaining a reserved prognosis”.

“Considering the stability of the clinical picture, the next medical bulletin will be released on Saturday,” the update said.

“Today the Holy Father dedicated himself to some work activities during the morning and afternoon, alternating rest and prayer.

“Before lunch he received the Eucharist”.

On Friday it will be three weeks since the pontiff was first admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 after suffering from a bout of bronchitis.

Meanwhile, Catholic cardinals in Rome marked the start of the Lent religious season without Pope Francis.

The Argentine pontiff usually leads the Ash Wednesday celebrations marking the start of 40 days of prayer and sacrifice before Easter, the holiest period in the Christian calendar.

Pope Francis remains in a stable condition. Picture: AFP

A nun gives a thumbs up in St Peter's Square in Vatican City. Picture: Getty Images

Instead Italian Cardinal Angelo De Donatis read out the pope’s homily at the mass at Rome’s Santa Sabina basilica, which was preceded by a procession joined by around 20 red-clad cardinals.

“We feel deeply united with him at this moment and we thank him for the offering of his prayers and his sufferings for the good of the entire Church, and the whole world,” De Donatis said of the pontiff at the start.

Pope Francis was dealt a major health setback earlier in the week when he suffered from two breathing crises in his ongoing double pneumonia battle.

Pope Francis greets people at the end of an audience to the participants of the Pilgrimage Episcopal Conference of Scandinavia, at Paul-VI hall in The Vatican. Picture: AFP

On Monday evening (Tuesday AEDT) the Vatican gave a concerning health update and said the pontiff’s prognosis remains “reserved”.

“Today the Holy Father presented two episodes of acute respiratory failure, caused by significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm,” the Vatican statement said.

“Two bronchoscopies were therefore performed with the need for aspiration of abundant secretions”.

Endobronchial mucus causes a blocking up of secretions in the airways of the lungs.

Francis also required mechanical ventilation which was resumed just one day after the Vatican said he no longer required it.

I would like to thank you for your prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world. I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am “carried” and supported by all God’s people.

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) March 2, 2025

During this ongoing health battle the pontiff has not only been battling double pneumonia but also bronchitis and renal issues.

Last weekend Francis posted on X thanking many people who have prayed for him to return to good health.

“I would like to thank you for your prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world,” he wrote.

“I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am “carried” and supported by all God’s people.”

- with AFP

Originally published as Pope Francis releases audio message from hospital