Roman Catholics worldwide prayed on Sunday for Pope Francis, who is hospitalized in critical condition, following a Vatican announcement that he was “not out of danger.”
The 88-year-old pope was admitted to a hospital in Rome on February 14 with an infection that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He experienced a significant “asthmatic respiratory crisis” on Saturday, which required “high flows of oxygen” and a blood transfusion, according to the Vatican.
As the spiritual leader of nearly 1.4 billion Roman Catholics since 2013, Pope Francis has garnered prayers for his recovery globally. At the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, a tourist expressed that the pope is “the symbol of Christianity.”
The Vatican reported that the pope had a restful night on Sunday morning but did not provide further details about his condition. Concerns regarding the severity of pneumonia for someone of his age were voiced by attendees at various services around the world.
Francis has a history of lung issues, and discussions among some cardinals have emerged regarding the potential for him to resign, similar to his predecessor, Benedict XVI, in 2013. Doctors indicated on Friday that the pope would remain in the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli hospital in Rome for at least another week, with the situation appearing more complex than previously stated.
Prayers for the pope were held during Sunday services in locations such as Nairobi, Kenya, Sydney, and Melbourne, Australia, as well as in the Philippines, where nearly 80 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. In East Timor, where the pope visited last year, prayers were also offered for his health.
Father Vicente Gabriel Bautista led prayers for the pope during Sunday Mass at the Manila Cathedral, emphasizing the importance of divine love and healing. Members of the community, including a candle vendor and church volunteers, expressed their personal prayers for the pope’s recovery and longevity, highlighting their admiration for his humility.
In Dili, East Timor, a young girl shared her sentiments after Mass, recalling the joy of the pope's visit and her hopes for his health.