Pope Francis’ voice heard for the first time in three weeks

The pontiff has been hospitalised since February 14th with pneumonia.

Before the evening rosary prayer at St Peter's Square, a pre-recorded message was played of the Pope speaking in Spanish thanking those praying for him.

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 the Virgin protect you. Thank you."

According to the Mirror, the Argentine's voice was frail and slow.

It is the first time that his voice has been heard since he went into hospital three weeks ago due to having bronchitis, which then developed into double pneumonia.

The Pope had previously been reported to have had "respiratory crises", however, this has not been an issue since Monday when he struggled to breathe on two occassions.

Since then his condition has remained stable, according to The Vatican.

The Vatican said that his next medical update will come on Saturday, a change from the daily updates they had released since his hospitalisation.

In a statement, they said: “Given the complexity of the clinical picture, the prognosis remains guarded."

Pope Francis is still receiving treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

Despite The Vatican observing the start of Lent without him, with Cardinal Angelo De Donatis leading proceedings, Pope Francis still took part in Ash Wednesday.

A statement from The Vatican on Wednesday said: “This morning, in the private apartment on the 10th floor, the Holy Father participated in the rite of blessing of the Holy Ashes which were imposed on him by the celebrant, then he received the Eucharist.

“He later devoted himself to some work activities. Also in the morning he called Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of the Holy Family of Gaza.

“In the afternoon he alternated rest with work."