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

The Vatican on Sunday released the first photograph of Pope Francis in more than a month, showing the pontiff in a three-quarter view from behind wearing a purple stole typical of Lenten liturgical vestments and sitting in a wheelchair before the altar of his personal hospital chapel.

Pope Francis has entered the fifth week of hospital treatment for double pneumonia very much looking ahead as he continued work on a priority of his papacy.