The condition of Pope Francis is reportedly weak but stable. For the first time since his admission to the hospital three weeks ago, an audio message from the Pontiff was released on Thursday evening. In it, the Pope thanked for the prayers.

Believers Applauded Pope Francis' Audio Message at St. Peter's Square

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health in the square. I accompany you from here," said the 88-year-old. The message was played on Thursday evening at St. Peter's Square before the believers who had gathered to pray the rosary for the sick Pope. "May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you," said Francis in Spanish with a very weak voice. The gathered people then applauded in the square in front of St. Peter's Basilica.

The head of the Vatican press office, Matteo Bruni, said on Friday that the Pope had decided on Thursday to record the audio message to thank the believers for their prayers. "He wanted to thank the people for the many prayers, thanks to which he feels 'carried' and supported by the entire people of God," explained Bruni. The Pope spoke in his native Spanish to reach a larger number of believers. During the recording, one could hear the flow of oxygen being administered to the Pope. This also explains Francis' effort in speaking.

On Friday, the Pope also thanked for the prayers on his X account. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health. May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. I thank you," reads the message verbatim.

Audio Message Aims to Dispel Fake News About Pope Francis' Death

According to Vatican insiders, the release of the audio message is intended to dispel false information about the Pope. For days, videos have been circulating on social networks claiming that the Pope has long been dead. The fact that no image of Francis has been published since his hospital admission on February 14 has fueled the misinformation.

For days, the wildest "fake news" from the pen of more or less informed users has been circulating through the networks. "The Pope is dead, and in the Vatican, they are already negotiating his succession" - such statements are now repeatedly found online. A TikToker allegedly showed the entrance to the tenth floor of the Gemelli Clinic, where the Pope's room is located, without the supervision of guards. This was said to be proof that the Pope was no longer in the hospital. The Roman police have launched an investigation into this misinformation, reported the daily newspaper "La Repubblica" (Friday edition).

Unlike John Paul II (1978-2005), who allowed himself to be photographed even on his sickbed, Francis is currently not using this means of communication. This fuels speculation about the true condition of the Pope. At the same time, the Vatican has so far communicated surprisingly detailed information about the Pope's illness.

New Bulletin on Pope Francis Will Be Released on Saturday

In view of the stable condition of the Pope, no statement about his situation will be released on Friday evening. The next medical report is expected to be distributed on Saturday. This interrupts the Vatican's usual rhythm of twice-daily bulletins on the Pontiff's health status, three weeks after the Pope's hospital admission.

Pope Francis is now being supplied with additional oxygen. This is done partly with a breathing mask and partly through cannulas. Overnight, the Pope is mechanically ventilated in a non-invasive way with a ventilator, according to Vatican sources. During the day, he is supplied with oxygen through a tube over the nose.

On Monday, the 88-year-old suffered two cases of acute respiratory insufficiency, caused by significant mucus accumulation in the lungs and muscle spasms in the bronchial area. Subsequently, two bronchoscopies were performed, during which secretions were suctioned.

(APA/Red)

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