Pope Francis pictured for first time since being hospitalised with pneumonia

Pope Francis (Image: Holy See Press)

Pope Francis has been pictured for the first time since he was hospitalised over a month ago. The Pontiff has been in hospital since February recovering from pneumonia and shared a message earlier today with Catholics across the world as he prayed for peace in "countries wounded by war".

The photograph shows the Argentine leader of the Catholic Church as he celebrated mass in the chapel in his suite at the Rome hospital where he has been receiving treatment. It is understood that he remains in a stable condition and is no longer in imminent danger of death. But today marked the fifth Sunday in a row that the Pope has not been present in person for his weekly blessing at the Vatican. Although news of an improvement in his health will come as a relief to millions.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Vatican warned that the Pope still requires hospital treatment despite his improvement.

The statement said: “The Holy Father still requires hospital medical therapy, motor and respiratory physiotherapy; these therapies, at present, are showing further, gradual improvements.”

The picture released today is the first image of the Pontiff since his admission to hospital.

In his statement today he spoke of peace across the world as war continues to rage on in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

He said: "I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: fragile, at this time, like me.

“Let us continue to pray for peace, especially in the countries wounded by war: tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Argentine Pontiff has not been pictured since being hospitalised on 14 February (Image: Getty)

The Pope has received extensive treatment for pneumonia and other infections since being hospitalised on 14 February.

Several respiratory crises had caused serious concern for his life before his recent improvement.

Earlier this month, a recording of the Argentine was played to followers in St Peter's Square in Vatican City where he sounded breathless and as he thanked Catholics for their prayers.

Francis is the first Pope to come from the Americas and is the first to be born out of Europe since Syrian pope Gregory III in the eighth century.

He became Pope in 2013 following the death of Benedict XVI.