Pope Francis's health has been described as stable yet complicated as he continues to recuperate from pneumonia while being treated at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

The 88-year-old leader was hospitalized on February 14 and has faced several respiratory issues since that time.

On Thursday, he released an audio message to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, marking the first occasion his voice has been heard publicly since his hospitalization.

In the message, recorded earlier that day, he expressed appreciation for the prayers and well wishes regarding his health, although his voice appeared weak, accompanied by noticeable labored breathing.

He spoke in Spanish, raising questions among observers about his proficiency in Italian, the usual language for Vatican communications.

A Vatican spokesperson clarified that Francis opted for Spanish to connect with a wider audience.

The Vatican press office released a statement on Friday, indicating that while the pope's condition is stable, it is considered 'complex', signaling a cautious outlook.

Reports noted that Francis has been engaged in light work, physiotherapy, and prayer, including time spent in a small chapel within the hospital premises.

Currently, he alternates between using an oxygen mask during the night and a nasal cannula that provides high-flow oxygen throughout the day.

Pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square reacted positively to his audio message, viewing it as an encouraging indication of his strength, while also recognizing the difficulties he is confronting.

The Vatican has been working to address the growing public curiosity regarding the pope's health.

To promote transparency, they are providing regular updates on his sleep patterns, followed by a detailed medical bulletin each evening.

However, the latest bulletin stated that, due to his stable clinical status, no further updates would be released on Friday, with the next anticipated on Saturday.

The brief update on Friday morning confirmed that the pope had a restful night and got up shortly after 8:00 AM local time.

Significantly, he has missed the last three Sunday Angelus prayers, a practice in which he normally speaks to the public from the Gemelli balcony.

This health crisis represents Pope Francis's longest period of hospitalization, following a series of medical challenges in recent years.

Noteworthy incidents include colon surgery in 2021 and hernia surgery in 2023. Recently, he faced a serious respiratory episode on February 22 and underwent treatment for acute respiratory failure related to bronchial complications on March 3.

The pope's health has often been a subject of speculation, leading to discussions about his possible resignation, a fate that occurred to his predecessor, Benedict XVI, in 2013.