February 25, 2025 // National

World Prays with Pope in Critical Condition

Cindy Wooden

Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Officials with the Vatican announced on the morning of Wednesday, February 26, that Pope Francis rested well overnight and continues to be in critical but stable condition in Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

The day prior, in a sign affirming that Pope Francis has been able to conduct work while in the hospital, Vatican officials said on Tuesday, February 25, that the pope had met with top officials of the Vatican Secretariat of State and had signed several decrees in sainthood causes.

Officials with the Vatican Press Office said February 25 that the pope had signed the decrees the previous day during a meeting at Rome’s Gemelli hospital with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and with Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, substitute secretary of state.

The announcement followed a typically brief morning update on the health of the 88-year-old pope, which said, “The pope rested well, all night.”

Pope Francis, diagnosed with double pneumonia, has been in the hospital since Friday, February 14.

A medical bulletin published late on Monday, February 24, said Pope Francis’ condition had shown slight improvement during the day, but his condition remained critical. He had not had another “asthmatic respiratory crisis,” so doctors were able to reduce the oxygen he is receiving by nasal cannula.

On the evening of February 24, a light drizzle finally let up as hundreds of faithful headed to St. Peter’s Square to pray the Rosary for Pope Francis on the 11th day of his hospitalization.

More than two dozen cardinals living in Rome, and dozens of members of the Roman Curia, sat to the side as Cardinal Parolin knelt before an image of Mater Ecclesiae – Mary, Mother of the Church – leading a recitation of the Rosary.

Cardinal Parolin greeted those gathered by saying, “For 2,000 years Christians have been praying for the pope when in danger or infirm.”

“Since the Holy Father Francis has been hospitalized at Gemelli hospital, intense prayer has been raised to the Lord by individual faithful and Christian communities around the world,” he said.

Cardinal Parolin announced the public recitation of the Rosary would take place nightly at 9 p.m. at St. Peter’s Square while the pope was hospitalized.

Entrusting the 88-year-old pope “to the powerful intercession of most holy Mary,” the cardinal said, “may she, our caring mother, sustain him in this time of illness and trial, and help him to recover his health soon.”