News | Health & Safety
2 Apr 2025 9:50
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Health & Safety

    Vatican releases first photo of Pope Francis since hospitalisation

    The Vatican has released the first image of Pope Francis in hospital since he began treatment for double pneumonia.


    The Vatican has released the first image of Pope Francis in hospital since he began treatment for double pneumonia.

    The 88-year-old pontiff appeared to be breathing unaided.

    The 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, sitting facing the altar in a chapel at the hospital.

    There is no sign that he is receiving the supplementary oxygen that he has been given throughout his stay.

    The Vatican said the photo was taken on Sunday, when the pope celebrated mass with other priests in the chapel.

    In its latest medical update, issued on Saturday, the Vatican said Francis was gradually improving and was using less mechanical ventilation at night to help with breathing.

    The pope has been described as being in a stable or improving condition for nearly two weeks, but the Vatican has not yet given a timeframe for his discharge, saying his recovery is going slowly.

    Francis is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.

    He has been receiving respiratory physiotherapy to help with his breathing and physical therapy to help with his mobility. He has used a wheelchair in recent years due to knee and back pain.

    Francis celebrated the 12th anniversary of his election as pope from hospital on Thursday.

    Doctors not involved in the pope's care have said he was likely to face a long, fraught road to recovery, given his age and other medical conditions.

    On Saturday, the Vatican announced that Francis had approved a new three-year process to consider reforms for the global Catholic Church, in a sign that he intends to continue as pope, despite his health difficulties.


    ABC




    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other Health & Safety News
     02 Apr: Health New Zealand's seeking feedback on improving services for terminally ill children - after revelations of a major workforce gap
     01 Apr: Pope approves canonisation of Peter To Rot, who will be PNG's first saint
     01 Apr: New Zealanders now have more options to tackle cancer
     01 Apr: Knowledge and access to support have been identified as key to plugging a gap in dementia care
     31 Mar: An update on the state-of-play for Christchurch's historic Princess Margaret Hospital
     29 Mar: A new campaign has launched, aiming to provide better heart healthcare - to rural communities across the country
     28 Mar: King Charles cancels trip after being hospitalised during cancer treatment
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Blues number eight Hoskins Sotutu is putting any All Blacks test aspirations on hold as he prioritises reviving his Super Rugby side's one-win-five-loss start to the season More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Dairy prices have risen another 1.1 percent at this morning's Global Dairy Trade auction More...



     Today's News

    Christchurch:
    Commuters from North Canterbury to Christchurch are being warned of significant delays - as emergency crews respond to three separate crashes on the Northern Motorway 9:27

    Entertainment:
    Drew Barrymore was "selfish" before she became a mother 9:18

    Entertainment:
    Joey Lawrence had to choose a "bland" name at the start of his career 8:48

    Motoring:
    Yuki Tsunoda discusses F1 Japanese Grand Prix after Red Bull promotion 8:37

    National:
    Canada a 51st state? Here’s how American annexation could actually favour Canada 8:27

    Entertainment:
    Ron Howard thinks that "problem-solving" is the "key" to a successful marriage 8:18

    Living & Travel:
    Dogs see their world through smell – and scientists are starting to translate it like never before 8:17

    Rugby:
    Blues number eight Hoskins Sotutu is putting any All Blacks test aspirations on hold as he prioritises reviving his Super Rugby side's one-win-five-loss start to the season 8:07

    Law and Order:
    US attorney-general orders prosecutors to seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione 8:07

    National:
    Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’: why the US is on a war footing over tariffs and mass deportations 8:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd