Church leaders are asking for prayers as Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized with bronchitis since Feb. 14, was found to have double pneumonia.
Cardinal Jose Advincula has called for “community prayers” as the Pope continues treatment for pneumonia at a Rome hospital.
“In union with the whole Church, let us pray fervently for the healing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. I would like to request our parishes and communities to organize community prayers for the intention of Pope Francis, like gathering our people for a Holy Hour for the Healing of the Sick, especially of the Pope. Let us likewise offer our personal and family prayers for this intention,” Advincula, former bishop of the Diocese of San Carlos in Negros and archbishop of Capiz, said in his appeal Feb. 19, posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.
He noted that Archbishop Charles John Brown, the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, also made an appeal to pray for the speedy recovery of the Holy Father as well as for all the doctors and nurses, who are taking care of him.
“Let us unite ourselves in prayer in this trying time for the Church,” Advincula stressed.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP president, also urged Catholics to keep the Pope. “May I ask for your prayers for his healing and recovery during this challenging time.”
The CBCP said that, as per updates from Vatican, the 88-year-old pontiff has developed pneumonia in both lungs as new tests showed further complications in his condition.
The Holy See Press Office reported that Pope Francis underwent a chest CT scan Feb. 18, revealing “the onset of bilateral pneumonia, which required additional drug therapy.”
“Nevertheless, Pope Francis remains in good spirits. (He had) received the Eucharist and, throughout the day, alternated between rest, prayer, and reading. He expresses his gratitude for the support he feels at this time and kindly asks that prayers for him continue,” the Holy See Press Office added in a statement last night.
Before his admission last week, he continued to hold daily audiences in his Vatican residence, attended his general audience, and presided over an outdoor mass.
He, however, handed off his speeches for an aide to read aloud, saying he was having trouble breathing, the CBCP said.
In July 2021, the pope spent 10 days at the same hospital after he underwent a surgery for a colon problem.
Pope Francis made a pastoral and state visit to the Philippines from Jan. 15 to 19, 2015, and even met with survivors of super-typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban. ||
