(6 Mar 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
++NIGHT SHOTS++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vatican City – 6 March 2025
1. Various of South American nuns reacting to Pope Francis’ audio message as it is played in St Peter’s square loudspeakers, nuns applauding and praying, UPSOUND (Spanish) "How beautiful"
2. Close of nun holding candle, Pope Francis photo and rosary
3. Mid of loudspeaker while Pope’s audio plays
4. Various of nuns during rosary prayer for Pope Francis health
5. Various of woman with candle with Pope Francis, doing cross sign
6. Various of crowd during rosary prayer
7. Various of screen reading (Italian, English and Spanish) "Tonight, at 9:00 pm, prayer of the Rosary in Piazza San Pietro for the Holy Father Francis"
8. Close of statue of St Peter, moon behind
9. Mid of nun praying
10. Wide of St Peter’s Basilica
STORYLINE:
A weak and breathless Pope Francis thanked people for their prayers for his recovery in a remarkable audio message broadcast Thursday, the first public sign of life from the 88-year-old pope since he was hospitalized three weeks ago with double pneumonia.
Francis’ feeble voice, discernible through his labored breaths and in his native Spanish, was recorded Thursday from the hospital and broadcast to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square who had gathered for the nightly recitation of the rosary prayer.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the square, I accompany you from here,” he said, his soft voice piercing the hushed square. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”
For anyone used to hearing Francis’ voice, which is often so soft it sounds like a whisper, the audio was an emotional punch to the gut that hammered home just how sick he is.
The cardinal presiding over the prayer, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, had told the crowd at the start of the service that he had “beautiful news, a beautiful gift" to share. The clearly surprised crowd broke into applause and then applauded again after Francis’ final “Gracias.”
The 88-year-old pope has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.
More than any pope before him, Francis has mastered the art of informal and direct communication, often recording cell phone videos for visitors to bring home to their communities. For the considerable effort it must have taken, the audio message made clear that he understood the power of his voice, even in its weakened state.
Doctors on Thursday reported that Francis was in stable condition, with no new respiratory crises or fever. He continued his respiratory and other physical therapy Thursday, worked, rested and prayed from the 10th floor papal suite at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
AP video and Production by Paolo Santalucia
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