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 nuns who operate the Vatican’s switchboard are fielding a growing number of calls. Many want to know how Pope Francis is doing, and some ask to speak with him directly as the head of the Catholic Church remains hospitalized in Rome.

Francis has not been seen publicly since he was admitted to the hospital Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis that made it difficult for him to speak. Doctors soon added a diagnosis of double pneumonia and a polymicrobial (bacterial,