The release of the photo a month into his treatment came after dozens of young people gathered under the pontiff’s windows to offer wishes for a quick recovery.

The Vatican on Sunday released the first photograph of the pope in more than a month, showing Pope Francis wearing purple Lenten liturgical vestments sitting in a wheelchair in front

While the pope did not appear from the 10th-floor suite of windows, he thanked them and acknowledged their presence in the traditional Sunday blessing.