Pope Francis sends message to well-wishers as hospital stay hits three weeks
Pope Francis "had a restful night" and awoke just after 8 a.m., the Vatican said Friday, marking three weeks since he was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital for double pneumonia.
The Friday update came the morning after Francis recorded a brief audio message that was played during a nightly prayer service for the pope in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers in the Square for my health," The 88-year-old pontiff said in his native Spanish, pausing between words to take in deep breaths. "May God bless you."
The same day, the Vatican said Francis' "clinical condition has remained stable compared to previous days" and that "he has not experienced any episodes of respiratory insufficiency." He alternated between rest and work, the Vatican said.
The pope was hospitalized at the Gemelli University Hospital in Rome on Feb. 14 after battling bronchitis for more than a week. He was later diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection and is being treated for double pneumonia.
Pope Francis' audio message
The Pope's message was brief but served as the first sign of life since Francis was hospitalized. His frail voice also put on display the severity of his condition.
The Vatican said Francis recorded the message after being "touched by the many messages of affection sent to him daily."
According to an official transcript from the Vatican, the pope said: "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here. May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you."
Contributing: John Bacon, Paste BN; Reuters