Pope Francis has reached out to Catholics worldwide, requesting prayer as he undergoes treatment for double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. For the second consecutive Sunday, he was unable to personally deliver the Angelus prayer, but sent a message expressing his ongoing confidence in his treatment regime.
The Vatican disclosed that the pontiff's condition remains "critical," a revelation that has concerned many followers. Despite his health challenges, Pope Francis expressed profound gratitude towards the medical staff caring for him and acknowledged heartfelt messages he has received, particularly those from children. "Thank you for this closeness, and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world! I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary, and I ask you to pray for me," he wrote in his recent message.
The Pope, who was admitted to the hospital on February 14 after experiencing breathing issues, has a history of lung problems, including having part of a lung removed when he was younger. While he has faced multiple hospitalizations during his 12-year papacy, this current one raises significant concerns for many due to his age and health complications.
On Saturday, Vatican officials revealed that the pontiff is alert, spending time in an armchair but still requiring blood transfusions due to low platelet counts linked to anaemia and needing a substantial supply of oxygen. The health updates, which vary in tone and content, leave followers trying to interpret his precarious health status.
Doctors have indicated that while the Pope is responding positively to treatment, his condition is intricate, and even minor changes could disrupt his fragile health balance. As one physician noted, "He is the Pope, but he is also a man."
In addition to discussing his health, the pontiff took the opportunity to highlight the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, urging people to remember all victims of conflicts and to pray for peace across regions including the Middle East and Myanmar. Traditionally, the Angelus prayer is shared by the Pope from a window of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, surrounded by his supporters.
