Pope Francis speaks for first time since hospitalization for pneumonia

Pope Francis addressed his flock via an audio recording Thursday for the first time since he was admitted last month to the hospital.

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here," Francis said, his voice echoing through St. Peter's Square. "May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you." 

The recording of the ailing 88-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church was played while pilgrims gathered at the Vatican prayed the rosary.

The 34 words uttered by Francis were the first heard by the faithful since he was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 with a dangerous case of double pneumonia.

It was not immediately clear when the recording was made, but Vatican officials released it two days after Francis suffered two “acute respiratory insufficiency” episodes that required medical intervention.

Francis' setback was caused by “a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus" that caused his airways to tighten and made it difficult for him to breathe, they said.

Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man in Argentina, has had respiratory problems in the past. In this instance, a case of bronchitis worsened and turned into a complex pneumonia in both lungs.

The Pope’s latest hospitalization is the longest of his 12-year papacy.

On Tuesday, Francis was breathing with the help of supplemental oxygen but had resumed using a ventilation mask at night, the Vatican said.

The next day, Francis spent Ash Wednesday in the hospital where he received ashes and Holy Communion to mark the start of Lent, a solemn period that leads up to Easter which falls this year on April 20.

But Cardinal Angelo De Donatis was designated to take Francis’ place at the Vatican celebrations.