Pope Francis Celebrates Mass from Hospital as Supporters Gather Outside

Tue Oct 21 2025 13:22:56 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Vatican City shares first photo of Pope Francis since hospitalization, highlighting public support and ongoing recovery efforts.

In a heartfelt moment, Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the first time since being hospitalized a month ago, as supporters rallied outside the hospital with messages of encouragement.

On March 16, 2025, the Vatican released a touching image of Pope Francis sitting in the chapel of Policlinico A. Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he has been receiving treatment for pneumonia. This marked the first public glimpse of the pontiff in over a month, as he gathered with fellow priests to celebrate Mass, revealing his resilience during treatment.

The pope, wearing a purple stole reflecting Lent, is continuing both motor and respiratory physiotherapy, with reports indicating that he is responding positively to these efforts. In a show of solidarity, a group of children gathered in the square outside the hospital, chanting “Papa Francesco” and holding colorful balloons in the Vatican’s yellow and white colors.

Among the crowd, these young supporters created signs to express their well wishes, with one boy notably using a playful phrase addressed to the pope, “Ciao Papa Cesco, I love you a lot.” Their joyful presence outside the hospital emphasized the hope and affection that the community harbors for the pontiff’s recovery, resonating with the broader message of peace that has characterized his papacy.