Pope Francis thanks well-wishers in first audio message

Vatican on Friday release Pope Francis’ first audio message where he thanked well-wishers for the prayers as he recovers from pneumonia.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here,” said Pope Francis in the message broadcast in St Peter’s Square.

“May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you,” he added.

The Pope spoke in his native Spanish, with some words fading away into nothing. The 88-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14.

Pilgrims have been gathering in St Peter’s Square every evening to pray for the pope’s recovery.

The hundreds of people present at the Square applauded when they heard his message.

The Vatican said earlier Thursday that the Argentine is in a “stable” condition.

There had been no repeat respiratory failure which he experienced on Monday, the Vatican said, and the pope’s blood work “remained stable”.

Francis continued with his breathing exercises and physiotherapy, did not have a fever, and managed to do a bit of work in both the morning and afternoon, it said.

The Vatican has been providing twice daily updates on the pope’s health, a morning one on how the night went, and an evening medical bulletin.