Vatican releases first photo of Pope Francis sitting on wheelchair since he fell sick and was admitted to hospital

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

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. 

 

"I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: fragile, at this time, like me," the Pope said in his latest statement, released earlier on Sunday. 

"Let us continue to pray for peace, especially in the countries wounded by war: tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo." 

Since his arrival in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, the Pope has been treated for double pneumonia and other infections. 

He has also suffered several respiratory crises, which has raised concerns about his survival. 

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, contracted pleurisy as a young man and had a partial lung removal, which has left him particularly vulnerable to pneumonia.