After weeks of speculation about his health, the Vatican has released a photograph of Pope Francis, offering a glimpse into his condition. The image, shared recently, shows the Pope sitting up and praying, which confirms that he is conscious and alert.
For the past month, the Pope has been hospitalized due to pneumonia affecting both of his lungs. During this time, there had been no images of him, leading to widespread concern and rumors about his well-being. The newly released photo, however, does not show his face, which raises questions about why the Vatican chose to keep that part private. It’s possible that the decision was made to protect the Pope’s dignity, given his frail state at 88 years old.
In the past few weeks, the Vatican has communicated through tweets, audio messages, and written updates. However, the lack of a visual representation of the Pope had created a sense of uncertainty. This photo comes after a group of around 100 children visited the Gemelli Hospital, where the Pope is being treated. There was hope among the children that the Pope might appear, but he remained behind closed doors, likely due to medical advice.
The timing of the photo’s release seems significant. It may have been a response to the disappointment felt by those hoping to see the Pope in person. While the Vatican has not explained why the picture was shared now, it seems they wanted to provide some reassurance about the Pope’s health after a prolonged absence from public view.