The Vatican on Sunday released the first photograph of Pope Francis in more than a month, showing the pontiff in a three-quarter view from behind wearing a purple stole typical of Lenten liturgical vestments and sitting in a wheelchair before the altar of his personal hospital chapel.

The Vatican released the first photo of Pope Francis since his admission to hospital last month with pneumonia in both his lungs. The pope cast a somber figure; seated in a wheelchair and taken from his right side,