Pope Francis shared a message from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital where he had been treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection since Feb. 14.
“I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children,” the pope said on his X account.
“Thank you for your closeness and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!”
The Vatican issued an update on the 88-year-old pope’s health Sunday saying that he rested and passed a quiet night.
Doctors said hours earlier that the pontiff was in critical condition and suffered from a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis.
On Saturday, Pope Francis received “high flows” of oxygen and blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets.
He is said to be “alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday.”
