Australian Catholics joined people around the world in intensifying their prayers for Pope Francis, whose condition in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital was reported as “severe” into his second week of treatment.
A succession of twice-daily updates from the Holy See’s press office and a news conference at the hospital given by members of the pope’s medical team on 22 February, indicated that despite the best medical treatment available he was facing a most serious health battle.
Pope Francis, 88, was suffering with bronchitis when he was admitted to hospital on 14 February. He was subsequently treated for bilateral pneumonia and a number of infections in his respiratory tract.
From 21 February daily official statements indicated his condition was critical. A press indicated he was “not in of danger of death” but also not out of danger and would require a lengthy hospital stay.
The following day the Pope experienced a “respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity” requiring high-flow oxygen and blood transfusions, the Vatican said, later following up to report some improvement but also signs of “early, mild renal insufficiency” as part of a “complex” clinical picture.
As The Catholic Weekly went to press, “The Holy Father’s clinical condition, despite its severity, has shown a slight improvement” read the latest communiqué.
“In the evening, he called the parish priest of Gaza to express his paternal closeness.”
Bishops around the world called for prayers for the ailing pope and the Diocese of Rome’s vicar general Cardinal Baldassare Reina asked all Rome’s parish and religious communities to spend an hour in silent adoration, Vatican News reported.
“As one large family, we ask the Lord to grant our bishop the strength needed to face this delicate moment,” Cardinal Reina said on 24 February, the Pope’s 11th day in hospital.
Prayers were to be offered each day for the pope during Mass and Eucharistic adoration in the Gemelli Hospital St John Paul II Chapel beginning the same day.
The Holy See’s Secretariat of State Pietro Parolin also led the praying of the Rosary in St Peter’s Square on 24 February.
In Sydney, Catholics joined Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP in prayers for the pontiff’s “health, comfort and recovery.”
“May the Lord grant him peace and strength, as we trust in the Lord’s mercy and love, confident that he hears our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen,” read the prayer posted on archdiocesan social media.
Indeed, as soon as the Pope’s condition was reported as critical, Sydney’s parish and school communities were keen to bring the Holy Father to the Lord in prayer.
Sr Cecilia Joseph OP, principal of St Peter Chanel Primary School in Regents Park, said its students would pray a rosary and offer their own prayers for Pope Francis during a weekly Friday Eucharistic adoration.
“He is a dearly beloved pope who has always been out there for the people on the margins. Mercy is a particular theme of his and his motto is ‘Miserando atque eligendo’—the Lord having Mercy on me, chose me,” said Sydney Bishop Daniel Meagher.
“Mercy, tenderness, being good to the sick and the poor is all part of Francis, so touched by his illness the people of Sydney have responded with concern and certainly prayers for him are being offered at Masses across the city.”
The Pope remained in good spirits throughout his trial, even attending Mass in the hospital chapel on his 10th day there and calling the Holy Family Parish in Gaza as is his habit in the evenings.
He publicly thanked the doctors and health care workers “for the attention they are showing me and the dedication with which they carry out their service among people who are sick.”
He also thanked people for the “many messages of affection” that he has received, particularly the letters and drawings sent by children.
“Thank you for this closeness and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world,” said the pope’s message posted on social media.
Many of those prayers came from the faithful who gathered in the large courtyard beneath his suite of rooms at the hospital.
The immense stone statue of St John Paul II became a focal point where visitors gravitated to pray and leave flowers, candles, rosaries, cards, drawings and notes. A daily rosary for Pope Francis also began at the statue on 24 February.
With additional reporting from OSV.