Care for Pope Francis: Pontifex asks to pray for him

The concern for Pope Francis (88) is still great. The head of the Catholic Church is currently in the hospital, on Saturday the Vatican spoke of a “critical state” due to severe shortness of breath after double pneumonia. On Sunday, Francis now reported a personal statement from the bedside.

The Pontifex was unable to speak the traditional Angelus prayer for the second Sunday in a row. For this he published a message to his followers, from which among other things quoted. “In the past few days I have received many messages of affection, and I was particularly impressed by the children’s letters and drawings. I thank you for this closeness and for the prayers of the consolation that I received from all over the world!” it means in it.

In his message, the 88-year-old also asked the Catholics to continue to consider him in their prayers. “I trust you all of the intercession of Mary and ask you to pray for me,” said Francis. He would “confidently continue” his stay in the Roman Gemelli Hospital and continue to receive “the necessary treatment”.

The Pope also used his message on Sunday to point out the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine on Monday. He called on people to commemorate all victims of armed conflicts and “pray for the gift of peace in Palestine, Israel and throughout the Middle East, in Myanmar, Kivu and Sudan.”

The Pope was hospitalized on February 14 after breathing problems. The Argentine has been fighting with a weak lung since his youth, and part of the organ was removed at the age of 21. Since he asked for openness to his health status, the Vatican regularly publishes explanations of his condition.

After the Pontifex received blood transfusions, it was said last that he had spent a quiet night and was able to rest. Nevertheless, the second oldest Pope in history, who has been in office since 2013, is still “not out of danger”.