Pope Francis is currently recovering from pneumonia as the Vatican organizes a nighttime prayer marathon to support him from afar. Many are hopeful for his return to leading the Catholic Church, despite earlier reports about his critical condition.
In a morning update that is typically brief, the Vatican reported that “The pope slept well through the night.” On Monday evening, doctors indicated that the pope remains in a critical state due to double pneumonia, but there were signs of slight improvement in some of his lab results. The update also shared that he has begun to resume his work from his hospital room and managed to call a parish in Gaza with which he has kept contact amid ongoing conflicts.
As night fell, thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, despite the rain, for the first nighttime rosary prayer. Many attendees reflected on the prayers held in 2005 when Pope John Paul II was gravely ill, but this time they focused their prayers on the recovery of Pope Francis, who is originally from Argentina.
Hatzumi Villanueva, a participant from Peru, expressed, “We came to pray for the pope, for his quick recovery, because of the great mission he shares with his message of peace.” The Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, addressed the crowd from the same location that Pope Francis usually occupies, highlighting the widespread prayers for the pope’s recovery since he was hospitalized.
The vigil will continue Tuesday night, led by Cardinal Antonio Tagle, another senior official of the Vatican who is known for his work supporting the Church in developing countries.
Pope Francis, who underwent partial lung surgery in his youth, has been hospitalized since February 14. Doctors have noted that his condition is delicate due to his age and pre-existing lung issues. They mentioned that he has not experienced respiratory crises since Saturday, and there have been slight reductions in both the flow and concentration of supplemental oxygen he requires. Although slight renal insufficiency was detected, it is not currently alarming.
While some conservative critics have circulated alarming rumors about the pope’s health, many of his supporters remain optimistic. For years, Pope Francis has requested prayers from everyday believers, a tradition he continues. Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, a member of Francis’ advisory circle, shared his own experience of facing death during COVID-19 and expressed confidence in the pope’s resilience, saying his love for the Church would keep him fighting.
Despite the rainy morning in Rome, both locals and visitors gathered to pray for the pontiff, reflecting on his teachings during nearly 12 years of leadership. Hoang Phuc Nguyen, a Canadian visiting Rome for a pilgrimage, took time to pray for the pope at the entrance of the hospital, saying, “We’ve heard he’s in the hospital, and we are very concerned for his health. He is our father, and it is our responsibility to pray for him.”
