They are rallying in prayer.
Catholic cardinals in Rome have come together to offer nightly rosary prayers for Pope Francis, who remains in critical condition due to a respiratory infection. The Holy See Press Office announced on Monday that, starting that evening, cardinals living in Rome, along with other associates, will gather in St. Peter’s Square at 9 p.m. to pray the Holy Rosary for the pope’s health.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin will lead the first rosary, and it will be streamed globally on Vatican News’ website and social media platforms. These nightly prayers come as Pope Francis continues to receive treatment at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he has been since February 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing.
The Vatican’s latest update on Monday noted that the pope had a restful night and was recovering, with reports saying he had attended mass in his hospital room alongside medical staff.
During a mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York on Sunday, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York commented that Pope Francis might be “close to death.” The Vatican has described his illness as a severe respiratory crisis, similar to asthma, and confirmed that he is battling pneumonia in both lungs. The 88-year-old pope, who was in critical condition over the weekend, has also faced kidney failure, required a blood transfusion, and is being supported by high-flow oxygen.
On Sunday, the pope’s official social media account posted a message thanking people for their support, especially highlighting the letters and drawings from children.
This is not the first time Pope Francis has been hospitalized for respiratory issues, as he was also treated in 2023 for a similar infection. His medical history includes a bout with pleurisy at age 21, which led to part of his lung being removed. Given his age and medical background, doctors have expressed concerns about his ability to recover from this current illness, warning of the potential for complications such as sepsis.
As Pope Francis approaches the 12th anniversary of his papacy, which began in March 2013, his health challenges come into focus. He was the first Argentinian to become pope, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned due to health concerns and passed away in 2022 at age 95.