Nuns pray in front of the statue of late Pope John Paul II outside Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis continues his treatment for pneumonia, in Rome, Italy. Poplar trees next to Sefton Park Allotments in Liverpool cast long shadows in the evening sun.

A woman walks past a picture of Pope John Paul II ahead of a prayer for Pope Francis at the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.

Catholics, like Vice President JD Vance, who criticize Pope Francis for being too political, claim they long for the days of Pope John Paul II. But the truth is, they did not listen to John Paul when he challenged their political views.

Candles are left at the foot of a marble monument of late Pope John Paul II outside Rome's Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic where Pope Francis is being treated for pneumonia, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Nuns pray for Pope Francis in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic,

A woman prays in front of the statue of Pope John Paul II outside the Agostino Gemelli where Pope Francis is hospitalised in Rome, Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio

The statue of Pope John Paul II is backdropped by the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic where Pope Francis is hospitalised in Rome, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Having spent three weeks in the hospital for treatment of double pneumonia, Pope Francis continues to be in stable condition and is responding well to his various treatments, as well breathing and mobility therapy.

Just as Popes John Paul II’s and Benedict’s final days revealed their understandings of the papacy, Francis’ illness has revealed him once again as the world’s parish priest, suffering close to his people.

ROME (AP) — A weak and breathless Pope Francis thanked people for their prayers for his recovery in a remarkable audio message broadcast Thursday, the first public sign of life from the 88-year-old pope since he was hospitalized three weeks ago with double pneumonia.

The recorded message was the first released by the Vatican since Pope Francis was hospitalized with a respiratory illness on Feb. 14.

Pope Francis has marked out a legacy that stands apart the ones of his two predecessors, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI.