A Mass was held in St. Peter's Basilica Friday in honor of Pope Francis as the 88-year-old marked two milestones this week: his 12-year anniversary as pontiff and the one-month mark since he was hospitalized for ongoing treatment of a respiratory infection.

Pope Francis, the beloved 88-year-old pontiff, has been on quite the health journey lately, and it's been a rollercoaster of emotions for Catholics worldwide. It all started on February 14, when Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital due to bronchitis.

As worshipers entered the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast Washington for the noon Mass March 2, they saw at the base of the sanctuary a large portrait of a bespectacled, smiling Pope Francis, with a vase in front of portrait bearing flowers in gold and white – the colors of the Vatican flag.