Pope Francis says he faces 'period of trial' in health update

Pope Francis has said he faces a "period of trial" as he thanked well-wishers on Sunday for their prayers.

The Argentine pontiff has been recovering in hospital from pneumonia, after he was admitted on 14 February.

In today's message, the 88-year-old referenced Biblical passages and prayed for peace in "countries wounded by war".

It marked the fifth Sunday in a row the Pope was not present in person for his weekly blessing, although the Vatican said earlier this week an X-ray had confirmed "improvements" in his condition. It has since cautioned he still needs hospital treatment.

"The Holy Father still requires hospital medical therapy, motor and respiratory physiotherapy; these therapies, at present, are showing further, gradual improvements," it said in a statement on Saturday.

The Pope has not been seen in public since his admission to hospital and no photographs have been released of the religious figurehead.

"I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: fragile, at this time, like me," the Pope said in his statement today.

"Let us continue to pray for peace, especially in the countries wounded by war: tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo."

Since his arrival in Rome's Gemelli hospital, the Pope has been treated for double pneumonia and other infections.

He has also suffered several respiratory crises, which has raised concerns about his survival.

Earlier on this month, an audio recording of Pope Francis speaking in his native Spanish was played in St Peter's Square in Vatican City.

His voice was breathless as he thanked the Catholic faithful for their prayers.

Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the first Pope from the Americas.

He contracted pleurisy as a young man and had a partial lung removal, which has left him particularly vulnerable to pneumonia.

As a result of his long load to recovery, there has been speculation that Pope Francis could choose to follow his predecessor Benedict XVI and resign the papacy.

But friends and biographers close to the Pope have insisted he has no plans to step down. And, despite his fragile health, the pontiff has continued his work from hospital.

2025 is a Catholic Holy Year, with 32 million pilgrims expected to come to Rome.