---
title: "Pope Francis seen in hospital for first time as Vatican releases photo"
description: "VATICAN CITY, March 16 (Reuters) - The Vatican on Sunday released the first image of Pope Francis in hospital since the 88-year-old pontiff began treatment for double pneumonia."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-03-16-pope-francis-seen-in-hospital-for-first-time-as-vatican-releases-photo/"
published: "2025-03-16T20:31:27"
updated: "2025-03-16T20:31:28"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 92
---

# Pope Francis seen in hospital for first time as Vatican releases photo

> VATICAN CITY, March 16 (Reuters) - The Vatican on Sunday released the first image of Pope Francis in hospital since the 88-year-old pontiff began treatment for double pneumonia.

By Reuters · Published 16 March 2025, 22:31 SAST · Updated 16 March 2025, 22:31 SAST

## Key points
- Pope Francis, currently playing hide-and-seek with the public from his hospital chapel, is reportedly breathing on his own—though he’s still got a bit of a respiratory drama unfolding behind the Vatican's velvet curtains.
- Pope Francis admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 due to a severe respiratory infection.
- He has not made any public appearances since his hospitalization.
- The Vatican confirmed he celebrated Mass with priests in the hospital chapel on Sunday.
- Recent photos show the pope breathing independently, although he has been receiving oxygen during treatment.

## Content

The [pope](https://www.reuters.com/world/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 in the image as he is seated in a chapel at the hospital. The Vatican said the pope had celebrated Mass with other priests in the chapel on Sunday.

The pope, who has been receiving oxygen throughout his treatment in hospital, appears to be breathing on his own in the photo.

(Reporting by Joshua McElweeEditing by Ros Russell)