Sitting in front of a small altar, wearing vestments for Mass and the purple stole worn during Lent. This is the first photo of Pope Francis , released by the Holy See press office, since Bergoglio was hospitalized last February 14 .

The shot, in which Bergoglio is seen only from the side, in a wheelchair and intent on concelebrating the mass, comes after the short audio broadcast during the rosary in St. Peter's Square on March 6, in which he thanked the faithful for their closeness and for their love. In the image, there are no cannulas or machines, but in plain sight is the crucifix in the chapel on the tenth floor of the Gemelli. On the wall, instead, the stations of the Via Crucis are depicted.

The news, welcomed with joy by the faithful, follows the words of Pope Francis today, with which he admitted – in writing – that he is facing "a period of trial", during which he is close to the "many sick brothers and sisters" and the frail.

(Unioneonline/vf)

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