The release of the photo a month into his treatment came after dozens of young people gathered under the pontiff’s windows to offer wishes for a quick recovery.

With Pope Francis entering his fourth week in hospital, those working in the Apostolic Palace are grappling with the continuing uncertainty over the pope’s health. The same is true for everyone in the Vatican.

The Vatican on Sunday released the first photograph of pope in more than a month, showing Francis co-celebrating Mass in the hospital chapel. The photograph is taken from behind, and shows Pope Francis wearing a purple stole sitting in a wheelchair in front of an altar.