ROME (CNS): For the first time since Pope Francis was hospitalised on February 14, the Holy See Press Office released a photograph on March 16 showing him in prayer after concelebrating Mass that morning in the chapel of his suite of rooms at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
The Mass also was the first the Vatican described as concelebrated by the 88-year-old Pope Francis in the hospital. He has been receiving the Eucharist daily and on the previous Sundays was described as having “participated” in the liturgy.
For the fifth Sunday in a row, Pope Francis did not come to his window for the recitation of the Angelus prayer, but he may have seen some yellow or white balloons fly past his hospital room.
More than a hundred children had gathered in the square in front the hospital to pray the Angelus; many were hoping the pope would come to his window to wave.
Although he did not come to the window, the pope thanked the children in the message the Holy See Press Office published at noon.
“I know that many children are praying for me; some of them came here today to Gemelli as a sign of closeness,” he wrote. “Thank you, dearest children! The pope loves you and is always waiting to meet you.”
Previously, on March 6, the Vatican press office did release a 27-second audio message from Pope Francis thanking people for their prayers. The pope had obvious difficulty breathing and speaking.
Meanwhile on March 13, the pope spent the 12th anniversary of his election to the papacy undergoing physiotherapy, but he was well enough to celebrate it in little ways.
Along with the health care workers treating him, the pope had a small celebration to mark the anniversary of his election, complete with a cake and candles, the Vatican press office said on March 13.
Hundreds of cards sent from children all around the world also were delivered to Pope Francis, wishing him a happy anniversary as well as a speedy recovery, the press office added.
The pope continued the therapies prescribed, including pharmacological treatment and physical therapy, it said.
A chest X-ray had confirmed continued improvements in his condition, the Vatican said the previous day, though doctors did not state that his double pneumonia had fully cleared.
The pope has been following the Roman Curia’s Lenten retreat by video, listening to the daily meditations led by Capuchin Father Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the papal household. While retreat participants gathered in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall could not see the pope, Father Pasolini opened his March 13 reflection with a direct message for him.
“Good morning, and a greeting with deep affection and gratitude to our Holy Father on this very special day: the 12th anniversary of his election,” he said.
Since 12 is a number associated with completeness or fullness in the Bible, he said, “we can truly thank God because the gift of Pope Francis to the Church and the world is complete. And certainly, in these 12 years, he has had the opportunity to express himself in fullness.”
