Pope Francis returned to social media more than a week after he was hospitalized and diagnosed with double pneumonia, and remains in critical condition.

Pope Francis is back on social media as he battles double pneumonia and remains hospitalized in critical condition.

More than a week after the pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church was admitted, a message from the 88-year-old religious leader was shared on his X account, thanking his supporters.

“I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children,” read the Feb. 23 post, shared at 1 p.m. Vatican time. “Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!”

Five minutes later, an additional post was shared on the pope’s X account. “I urge you to continue your apostolate with joy and to be a sign of a love that embraces everyone, as the #GospelOfTheDay suggests,” it read. “May we transform evil into goodness and build a fraternal world. Do not be afraid to take risks for love!”

This marks the second time statements have been shared on the pope’s X account since Feb. 16, when a message of gratitude to supporters was posted, as well as another referencing #GospelOfTheDay.

Hours after the latest messages were released, the Vatican announced in a statement that the pope’s condition “remains critical” and that blood tests showed “initial, mild, renal insufficiency” that is under control.

“Oxygen therapy at high flows through nasal cannulas continues. The Holy Father continues to be alert and well oriented,” the statement continued, per NBC News. “During the morning, at the apartment set up on the 10th floor, he participated in Holy Mass, together with those who are caring for him during these days of hospitalization.”

The pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital February 14 for a respiratory tract infection and was later diagnosed with double pneumonia. On Feb. 21, the Vatican said in a statement that he experienced an “asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen,” and his condition “continues to be critical.”

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“The pope is not out of danger,

” their statement added. “Today’s blood tests also revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions. The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is more uncomfortable than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded.”

The pontiff, who has been pope since 2013, is prone to respiratory infections. He underwent surgery to remove part of one of his lungs in 1957 after developing a severe infection. In 2023, he spent three days in a hospital undergoing treatment for pneumonia.