As Pope Francis remains hospitalized following a critical health scare, Catholics around the globe joined in prayer for his recovery during Sunday Mass. The Vatican has revealed that the 88-year-old pontiff is still considered "not out of danger," after being admitted to the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli in Rome on February 14 for treatment of pneumonia affecting both lungs.
The situation worsened on Saturday when Pope Francis encountered a significant "asthmatic respiratory crisis," resulting in the need for “high-flow oxygen” and a blood transfusion. This has prompted concern among faithful worldwide, given the pope's advanced age and previous lung complications.
In Seoul's Myeongdong Cathedral, Pat Santos, a visitor from the Philippines, spoke of Francis as a vital representation of Christianity. "Pneumonia is a serious illness for his age, that’s why we should be worried," he expressed. Santos added, "May he recover very well so that he can enjoy his retirement."
The pope, who became the spiritual leader for nearly 1.4 billion Roman Catholics since 2013, is drawing prayers from various communities. Father Vicente Gabriel Bautista at the Manila Cathedral stated, “Once more, we continue to keep in our prayers Pope Francis. May the Lord continue to extend to him his love, his mercy, and his healing."
As the days go by, discussions about the possibility of Francis resigning, similar to his predecessor Benedict XVI in 2013, have emerged among some cardinals, reflecting the critical nature of the pope's health. Following a briefing from doctors on Friday that indicated critical condition, the subsequent updates suggested an increasingly complex medical situation.
With congregation centers also observing special prayers for the pontiff in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, the global community feels a collective hope for the leader's healing process amid these trying times.
