News | International
17 Mar 2025 14:16
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > International

    Vatican releases first photo of Pope Francis since hospitalisation

    The Vatican has released the first image of Pope Francis in hospital since he began treatment for double pneumonia.


    The Vatican has released the first image of Pope Francis in hospital since he began treatment for double pneumonia.

    The 88-year-old pontiff appeared to be breathing unaided.

    The pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment. 

    He has not been seen in public since.

    Francis is pictured from behind, sitting facing the altar in a chapel at the hospital.

    There is no sign that he is receiving the supplementary oxygen that he has been given throughout his stay.

    The Vatican said the photo was taken on Sunday, when the pope celebrated mass with other priests in the chapel.

    In its latest medical update, issued on Saturday, the Vatican said Francis was gradually improving and was using less mechanical ventilation at night to help with breathing.

    The pope has been described as being in a stable or improving condition for nearly two weeks, but the Vatican has not yet given a timeframe for his discharge, saying his recovery is going slowly.

    Francis is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.

    He has been receiving respiratory physiotherapy to help with his breathing and physical therapy to help with his mobility. He has used a wheelchair in recent years due to knee and back pain.

    Francis celebrated the 12th anniversary of his election as pope from hospital on Thursday.

    Doctors not involved in the pope's care have said he was likely to face a long, fraught road to recovery, given his age and other medical conditions.

    On Saturday, the Vatican announced that Francis had approved a new three-year process to consider reforms for the global Catholic Church, in a sign that he intends to continue as pope, despite his health difficulties.


    ABC




    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other International News
     17 Mar: Benjamin Netanyahu moves to sack Israel's intelligence chief, accusing him of 'blackmail' campaign
     17 Mar: Why was the North Macedonia nightclub fire so deadly?
     17 Mar: Hamas urged to 'get much more sensible' about Gaza ceasefire by Trump envoy
     17 Mar: IVF alternatives, how much they cost, and if they're right for you
     17 Mar: Europe doesn't know if it can rely on America's nuclear weapons for protection. Some countries are looking elsewhere
     16 Mar: United States launches air strikes on Yemen's rebel-occupied capital over Houthis' Red Sea attacks
     16 Mar: SpaceX Crew-10 mission docks with the International Space Station to relieve stranded astronauts
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Wellington will open their NPC rugby title defence against Canterbury at an as yet unconfirmed venue More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Positive movements in the housing market More...



     Today's News

    Motorsports:
    Shane van Gisbergen has failed to finish the latest NASCAR event in Las Vegas 14:07

    Soccer:
    Liverpool manager Arne Slot is lamenting their lack of intensity after losing the English League Cup final 2-1 to Newcastle at Wembley 13:47

    Golf:
    North Irishman Rory McIlroy and American JJ Spaun will compete in a three-hole aggregate playoff tomorrow morning to decide the winner of The Players golf Championship in Florida 13:47

    Business:
    Positive movements in the housing market 13:47

    Politics:
    Benjamin Netanyahu moves to sack Israel's intelligence chief, accusing him of 'blackmail' campaign 13:47

    Law and Order:
    The member of the public killed in a crash with a fleeing driver in Auckland's Penrose was a Filipino immigrant 13:47

    Entertainment:
    Dawn Robinson's ex-husband has offered her a job 13:44

    Entertainment:
    Teddi Mellencamp couldn't see and could "barely walk" before being diagnosed with multiple brain tumours 13:14

    National:
    Why Gordie Howe’s elbows are Canada’s answer to Donald Trump 13:07

    International:
    Why was the North Macedonia nightclub fire so deadly? 13:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd