The Vatican has released the first photograph of the pope in more than a month, showing Pope Francis wearing a purple Lenten liturgical vestments sitting in a wheelchair in front of an altar in the hospital chapel.

The Vatican released the first photograph of Pope Francis on Sunday since his hospitalisation over a month ago, showing the pontiff celebrating mass earlier in the day from the chapel in his hospital suite.

The release of the photo by the Vatican was significant, as the Argentine pontiff has not been seen in public since being admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 for pneumonia.

Pope Francis’s condition has continued to improve and he no longer needs to use noninvasive mechanical ventilation to help him breathe at night

A person holds a picture of Pope Francis near the statue of late Pope John Paul II outside Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis is admitted to continue treatment, in Rome, Italy, March 9, 2025. REUTERS/Vincenzo Livieri/File Photo VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis is no longer using mechanical ventilation for help breathing at night,