THIS is the moment Pope Francis’ frail voice has been heard for the first time publicly since he fell seriously ill.
The 88-year-old Pontiff recorded the moving words from the same hospital bed where he was first rushed to in an emergency on February 14.
6
6
6
The 30-second recording was shared with worshippers at the start of the evening Rosary prayer in St Peter’s Square on Thursday.
It came as a shock to those in attendance who have spent the last 21 days longing to hear from the great Pontiff.
The cardinal presiding over the touching moment told the crowd he had “beautiful news, a beautiful gift” to share before the clip played.
A pre-recording of the Pope said: “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here.
“May God bless you and may the Virgin protect you. Thank you”.
The moved worshippers soon started to applaud the Pope’s bravery for speaking.
The speech, which came in Francis’ native Spanish, was filmed from Rome‘s Gemelli Hospital where he has been receiving treatment for double pneumonia since February 14.
The Vatican gave another update on the Pope’s health today, saying his condition has remained “stable” since yesterday.
Wednesday’s health report revealed the pontiff now requires “high flow oxygen” therapy throughout the day and ventilation over night.
Francis’s team also said there had been “no new crises”and that the Pontiff spent the day out of bed in his chair.
The update also revealed the Pope had restarted some of his work, despite his recent “acute respiratory failures” and continuing battle with double-lung pneumonia.
Francis was first rushed into hospital on February 14, where he has remained ever since.
He was later diagnosed with double-lung pneumonia, and his condition has been up and down.
But, on Monday, the pontiff suffered a major set back when he was hit by two “acute respiratory failures” which bound him to a ventilator.
At Francis’s request, the Vatican released all the details about his clinical picture.
They said his recent emergencies were caused by “significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm”.
By Tuesday, the Pope was well enough to be removed from constant ventilation, but still requires it overnight.
And rumours that Francis would resign were yesterday shot down by one of his close confidants.
Argentine journalist Elisabetta Pique, a friend and biographer of the Pope, was adamant he would soldier on.
She said: “He’s always been a fighter. He doesn’t give in under pressure.
“The more pressure they put on him, the more likely he won’t give in.”
It has now become the longest public absence of Francis’s 12-year papacy.
6
6
6
