Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for three weeks due to pneumonia, expressed his gratitude on the 6th (local time) through a voice message to those who wished for his recovery.
According to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, around 9 p.m. that evening, before the rosary prayer meeting wishing for the pope's recovery began in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, the pope's voice in Spanish resonated throughout the square. The rosary prayer has been held at this time daily since the pope's hospitalization.
The pope said in a breathless voice, “I sincerely thank everyone who prayed for my health in the square,” adding, “I will be here with you. I hope God's grace and the protection of the Virgin Mary will be with you. Thank you.”
This voice message is the first public recording since the pope was diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on the 14th of last month. Corriere della Sera reported that the pope recorded it the day before in a special room for the pope located on the 10th floor of the Gemelli Hospital.
Pope Francis has maintained a stable condition for three days. The Vatican Press Office announced in a press release that evening, “The pope has maintained a stable condition and showed no signs of respiratory failure today.”
The pope's health appears to improve for a few days, only to suddenly show signs of respiratory distress again. He experienced two episodes of acute respiratory failure on the afternoon of the 3rd but has since maintained a stable condition for three days.