Pope Francis has been hospitalized since Feb. 14 with bilateral pneumonia, and it's making some question whether he'll step down from his duties.

Pope Francis has entered his fourth week in the hospital with double pneumonia. Francis has increasingly handed off his day-to-day duties to cardinals as questions swirl about the near- and long-term future of his papacy.

The pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment.

Pope Francis was photographed at the hospital for the first time since he was admitted last month for double pneumonia.

Pope Francis has said he faces a "period of trial" as he thanked well-wishers on Sunday for their prayers. The Argentine pontiff has been recovering in hospital from pneumonia, after he was admitted on 14 February.