Pope thanks people for prayers ‘from bottom of my heart’ in new audio message

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.

A weak and breathless Pope Francis has thanked people for their prayers for his recovery in a remarkable audio message broadcast on Thursday.

It 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.