The photo is said to have been taken Sunday, when Francis was co-celebrating Mass in the chapel of the hospital suite where he has been battling a health crisis.

On March 16, the Vatican released a photo of Pope Francis. Earlier, he approved a three-year plan focused on implementing the reforms initiated by his recent synod on synodality.

As he did on Sunday, Francis participated in the retreat remotely from the Rome hospital where he is being treated. He could see and hear the Rev. Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the papal household, but the priests, bishops and cardinals gathered for the retreat in the Vatican auditorium could not see or hear him.