"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."

These are the words recorded today in a short audio message in Spanish by Pope Francis in his room at the Policlinico Gemelli , where the pontiff has been hospitalized since February 14 for treatment of bilateral pneumonia .

Bergoglio said he was "touched by the numerous messages of affection that are sent to him daily, and grateful for the prayers of the people of God."

The audio was broadcast in St. Peter's Square at the beginning of the daily prayer of the rosary for the health of the Pontiff, led this evening by Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

(Online Union)

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