Watch moment Pope Francis speaks from hospital to thousands in St Peter’s Square as Pontiff, 88, still in health battle

THIS is the emotional moment thousands of Pope Francis' followers hear the sickly Pontiff's voice for the first time since his health battles.

The 88-year-old was first rushed to hospital on February 14, where he has remained ever since with his faithful desperately praying for any positive news since.

A pre-recording of the Pope played out in St. Peter's Square tonight as he said: "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here.

"May God bless you and may the Virgin protect you. Thank you".

The Vatican gave their latest update on the sickly Pope on Wednesday as they said he now requires "high flow oxygen" therapy throughout the day and ventilation over night.

Francis's team also revealed there have been "no new crises"and that the Pontiff spent the day out of bed in his chair.

The update also revealed the Pope had restarted some of his work, despite his recent "acute respiratory failures" and continuing battle with double-lung pneumonia.

Francis was first rushed into hospital on February 14, where he has remained ever since.

He was later diagnosed with double-lung pneumonia, and his condition has been up and down.

But, on Monday, the pontiff suffered a major set back when he was hit by two "acute respiratory failures" which bound him to a ventilator.

At Francis's request, the Vatican released all the details about his clinical picture.

They said his recent emergencies were caused by "significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm".