Pope Francis has reached out to his global followers to ask for prayers as he remains hospitalized for treatment of double pneumonia. This is the second consecutive Sunday that the Pope has been unable to deliver the traditionally anticipated Angelus prayer in person. In a message penned in recent days, he expressed his ongoing commitment to his recovery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican has communicated that the 88-year-old pontiff's condition remains "critical."
In his Sunday message, the Pope expressed gratitude towards the medical staff and hospital workers attending to him, as well as to the many well-wishers worldwide. "I have received numerous messages of affection, especially letters and drawings from children, which have really touched me," he stated. He continued, "Thank you for your closeness and for the prayers of comfort which I have received from all corners of the globe. I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary, and I ask you to pray for me."
Having been admitted to the hospital on February 14 due to breathing difficulties, Pope Francis has faced lung issues historically severe since undergoing pleurisy and partial lung removal when he was 21. His health issues have led to multiple hospital admissions during his twelve-year papacy, including a stay in March 2023 for bronchitis.
As a measure of transparency regarding his health, the Vatican has committed to providing daily updates. However, the messaging has varied in tone and detail, prompting speculation among followers regarding the Pope's true health status. A recent update from the Vatican noted the Pope was alert and spending his days in an armchair, although he remains "not out of danger" and is "more unwell" than the previous day. Physicians have indicated that he needed blood transfusions due to a low platelet count and required a "high flow" of oxygen.
Doctors attending to the Pope confirmed that he is responding to treatment; however, they emphasized the complex nature of his condition, where even minor changes could disrupt a “delicate balance.” One medical professional remarked, "He is the Pope, but he is also a man."
In his Sunday message, Pope Francis also took the opportunity to reflect on the upcoming third anniversary of the war in Ukraine. He called for remembrance of all war victims and urged prayers for peace in regions plagued by conflict, including Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, Kivu, and Sudan. The Angelus prayer is typically delivered from a window of the Apostolic Palace, accompanied by a brief message from the Pope.
