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

The 88-year-old recorded the audio message from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he's been receiving treatment for double pneumonia since being admitted in February

The message was the first public sign of life from the 88-year-old pope since he was admitted to hospital three weeks ago with double pneumonia. Francis' weak voice, discernible through his laboured breaths and in his native Spanish,