VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, having been deeply touched by the innumerable amount of prayers and messages that he has received during his stay at the Gemelli Hospital, has released a brief audio message to express his gratitude. 

  The Argentine pontiff thanked those who were present at the evening prayers on Thursday in St. Peter’s square in his native tongue, Spanish. 

 “Agradezco de todo corazón las oraciones que hacen por mi salud desde la Plaza, los acompaño desde acá. Que Dios los bendiga y que la Virgen los cuide. Gracias.” 

  “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here. May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.” 

 In the audio Francis can be heard speaking clearly, neither coughing nor wheezing but still taking a few brief moments between words. This is the first official communication that has been expressed by the pope himself since his last public appearance during the address to worldwide armed forces. 

 While there have been no photos, videos or sightings of Francis since his hospitalisation, veteran Vatican photographers say that Francis himself is not fond of photos, even when well and so it is not at all surprising that, while he is still recovering from two serious illnesses, he has not wished to publish any images of himself in hospital. 

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