VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis addressed his flock via an audio recording Thursday for the first time since he was admitted last month to the hospital.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here,” Francis said in his native Spanish, his strained voice echoing through St. Peter’s Square. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.” 

The recording of the ailing 88-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church…