Pope Francis' voice heard for first time since entering hospital in new audio message

Pope Francis' voice has been heard for the first time since being admitted to hospital last month in a newly released audio message.

In the recording, shared with worshippers at the start of the evening Rosary prayer in St Peter's Square, he said: "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I am with you from here.

"May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you."

The audio message was recorded from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where the 88-year-old has been receiving treatment for double pneumonia since being admitted last month.

While he has shared written messages via the Vatican since entering hospital on 14 February, this is the first time his voice has been heard.

The audio recording comes after the Vatican said the Pope's condition has today been stable compared to earlier this week.

He has not had a fever and his blood tests remain stable, it said.

The Vatican has been giving updates on Francis's health at least once a day since he was hospitalised - but in a sign of his progress, these are being paused.

"Considering the stability of the clinical picture, the next medical bulletin will be released on Saturday." it said this evening.

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