Vatican Announces Nighttime Prayers for Pope Francis' Health at St. Peter's Square

Rome: The Vatican on Monday announced the start of nighttime prayers for the health of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, and invited Romans and others to join in, as the 88-year-old pontiff battled a complex lung infection which led to other complications.

Pope Francis, who has double pneumonia and the early stages of kidney insufficiency, was awake and in good spirits Monday. He is not in pain and is not receiving artificial nutrition, the Vatican said.

Vatican Announces Nighttime Prayers For Health of Pope Francis 

The Vatican No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is to lead the first prayer on Monday evening. The announcement immediately brought to mind the nighttime candlelit vigils in the piazza that preceded the 2005 death of St. John Paul II.

“The night passed well, the pope slept and is resting,” it said. A medical bulletin was expected later in the day.

Late Sunday, doctors reported that Francis remained in critical condition but that he hadn’t experienced any further respiratory crises since Saturday. Blood tests showed “early, slight kidney insufficiency” that was nevertheless under control.

Pope Admitted to Gemelli Hospital for 10 Days

At the Gemelli hospital, where Francis has been since Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened, Bishop Claudio GiulioDori presided over an emotional, standing-room-only Mass in the chapel named for John Paul; Some of the estimated 200 people who attended were in white doctor’s coats or green surgical scrubs; some knelt in prayer.

At 10 days, this hospitalization now stands as Francis' longest as pope. He spent 10 days at Rome’s Gemelli hospital in 2021 after he had 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon removed.

Also Read: Prayers Pour in for Pope Francis as He Remains in Critical Condition

Francis was receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen and, on Sunday, was alert, responsive and attended Mass. Doctors said his prognosis was guarded.

“We are very sorry. Pope Francis is a good pope, let’s hope that he makes it. Let us hope," said a choked-up Filomena Ferraro, who was visiting a relative at Gemelli on Monday. 

Doctors have said Francis’ condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease. They have warned that the main threat facing Francis is sepsis, a serious infection of the blood that can occur as a complication of pneumonia.

(with AP inputs)