Pope Francis releases brief 30-second message amid hospitalization

The Vatican on Thursday afternoon released a 30-second audio message from Pope Francis, thanking the public for their support, as he enters his third week at a hospital in Rome. 

The short message, which was recorded earlier in the day, was played at the start of the nightly rosary service in St. Peter's Square. The message was delivered in his native language of Spanish.

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

Francis was hospitalized last month with a mild fever and a respiratory tract infection, which progressed to double pneumonia. He underwent two bronchoscopies on Monday, and his condition is now considered stable but guarded.

A Vatican update on Thursday said he has not had any new episodes of respiratory failure since March 3, and that his bloodwork and blood pressure are normal, per the National Catholic Reporter.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.