Pope Francis spent a relaxing night at Rome Hospital, where he is in critical condition as he is treated for pneumonia and complex infection, the Vatican said Sunday.
Apart from the short text-“The night passed quietly, the Pope rests”-the Vatican did not provide further details, as concerns worldwide for the health of the 88-year-old Pontius.
On Saturday, the Vatican said that Francis had a long “asthmatic respiratory crisis” earlier on the day it required “high flows of oxygen”. He also had blood transfusions, but was alert, according to the Vatican, which issues cards in consultation with the hospital’s medical staff as well as the Pope’s doctor in the Vatican.
Francis was welcomed at Policlinico Agostino Gemelli on February 14 with a complex infection of the respiratory system that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. Doctors said the calibration of his treatment was particularly complicated because of his age and pre -existing pulmonary disease.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, doctors had the Francis condition for the first time as critical, adding that his condition could change day by day. Sergio Alfieri, a surgeon in the Francis medical team, said the Pope told him that he was aware of his own fragility and that his health was precarious. “He told us that both doors are open,” he said.
The Vatican said on Sunday that Francis used oxygen, was conscious and apparently encountered discomfort related to his breathing.
The Pope’s already full timetable had been intensified since the beginning of December of Jubilee of 2025, a year of faith, grace and forgiveness of sins that took place every quarter. But staying in the hospital meant that the Pope had to cancel all the forthcoming commitments.
In a mass at the Basilica of St. Peter for the Deacons on Sunday, Archbishop Rino Fisicella called for “stronger and more intense” prayers “for the Lord to help him in the era of his trial and illness.
In a written message instead of Sunday’s prayer Angel, he usually delivers to St. Peter’s Square, Francis said he continues “with confidence” with his “necessary treatment” in the hospital, adding: “And the rest is also part of the treatment. ! ” He thanked his doctors and those who sent him support messages and asked people to pray for him.
There were many. At noon – the traditional age of Angelus prayer – dozens of faithful gathered in the square in front of Gemelli Hospital. Some prayed silently or lit. votive candles to place the foot of a statue of St. John Paul II, another former hospital patient, along with colorful balloons with “Get Well” desires for Francis. Others recite the rosary.
Massimo Chiarucci and Sonia Salaro came to Rome from Latina, about 70 kilometers away, to pray to recover.
“It’s like a grandfather, some dear to us, that’s part of our lives,” said Ms. Salaro, a housewife. “We brought our prayers because it has to improve, it still has a lot to do, there is a need for its mediation,” said Mr Chiarucci, inspector.
Silvana Serrani, a resident of Rome, originally from Buenos Aires, where Francis was once Archbishop, said that Ponifis was a man who always put the poor first. “He was always a very simple man,” he said. “Let’s hope it will improve.”
For days now, prayers have also taken place around the world. A mass to pray for Francis’s recovery was scheduled for later on Sunday at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, chaired by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, General Vikia of the Diocese of Rome. At The Gemelli, Rome’s previous General Police Officer Cardinal Angelo de Donatis said he was one of the many prayers for Francis, “to seek help to the Lord at this time.”
“We hope that the Pope can feel the strong embrace of all who love him, there are so many,” said Cardinal de Donatis. “And we want to continue his service.”
Jason Horovic They contributed reports.
