Vatican releases first photograph of Pope Francis in a month as he celebrates Mass in hospital
ROME — The Vatican on Sunday released the first photograph of pope in more than a month, showing Pope Francis wearing a purple Lenten liturgical vestments sitting in a wheelchair in front of an altar in the hospital chapel.The Vatican said he was participating in the celebration of the Mass with other priests.No one else is visible in the photo.
It is the first photograph of the pope since he was hospitalized on Feb.14 with a severe case of bronchitis, which developed into double pneumonia.
It is also the first time the Vatican mentions that the pope has participated in celebrating a Mass in the period.Earlier, dozens of children toting yellow and white balloons — many from war-torn countries — gathered outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital to greet Pope Francis on his fifth Sunday hospitalized.While the pope did not appear from the 10th-floor suite of windows, he thanked them and acknowledged their presence in the traditional Sunday blessing.“I know that many children are praying for me; some of them came here today to Gemelli as a sign of closeness,’’ the pontiff said in the Angelus text prepared for the traditional prayer but not delivered live again.
“Thank you, dearest children! The pope loves you and is always waiting to meet you,’’ Francis said.The Rev.Enzo Fortunato, president of the pontifical committee for World Children’s Day who organized the event, said that the gathering of children with their parents was a form of spiritual medicine for the 88-year-old pontiff.
He called it ‘’the most beautiful caress.’’“The children represent a symbolic medicine for Pope Francis,’’ Fortunato said.‘’Letting him know that so many children are here for him cheers the heart.’’A small group of children, whose balloons represented the colors of the Vatican flag, briefly entered the hospital to leave behind their drawings, messages and flowers for Francis.
Many of the children came from poorer Italian districts or from countries ...