Vatican City – Thousands of faithful congregated at St. Peter’s Square, offering prayers for Pope Francis as he battles a serious illness. The attendees expressed gratitude for his leadership, sorrow for his suffering, and hope for his recovery.
After spending 11 days in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis, 88, has shown modest improvement. However, doctors remain concerned due to his pneumonia in both lungs and his underlying health conditions.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, led a 45-minute prayer session, during which worshippers fingered rosary beads and held flickering candles. While the Vatican provided a more optimistic health update earlier in the evening, the somber mood at the gathering reflected the uncertainty surrounding the pontiff’s condition.
“To see him suffer hurts,” said Robert Pietro, a seminarian from Romania who stood near an altar holding a fragrant candle. “But we also pray in thanksgiving for what he has done for the Church.”
The gathering included clergy, pilgrims, and even non-Catholics. Roberto Allison, a priest from Guadalajara, Mexico, said his community had come to express gratitude for “all that we have learned from him.”
Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, who blessed several attendees at the conclusion of the service, noted the diverse assembly as a sign of comfort for the Catholic Church. People from different parts of the world, speaking a variety of languages, had come together in a unified show of faith.
Pope Francis’ medical team remains cautious due to his age and a pre-existing lung condition—he had part of one lung removed as a young man. Despite this, the latest update suggested some stabilization, with no further respiratory crises since Saturday and a slight reduction in oxygen support.
Many of those present at the Vatican were tourists who had initially come to visit St. Peter’s Basilica but returned upon hearing of the prayer gathering. “It’s hard to process that Pope Francis might be spending his last days here in Rome,” said Edward Burjek, a Catholic visitor from Chicago.
For others, particularly those from Latin America, the situation carries even deeper significance. “We came to pray for the pope, that he may recover soon,” said Peruvian pilgrim Hatzumi Villanueva, who praised Francis’ compassion and dedication to peace.
Francis’ papacy has been marked by advocacy for environmental protection, social inclusion, and outreach to marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals and migrants. His leadership has left an enduring impact on the Catholic Church and beyond.
Outside the Vatican, locals also expressed sorrow over the pope’s condition. Raniero Mancinelli, whose business has crafted ceremonial garments for Francis and his predecessors, said, “We are all sorry.”
Despite rainy weather, many pilgrims remained undeterred. Elisabetta Zumbo, leading a group of thirty-four from Piacenza, carried a five-foot-long crucifix along the closed-off roadway to St. Peter’s Square. “There is a lot of emotion and a lot of sadness,” she said.
Even non-Catholics were drawn to the moment. A London couple visiting St. Peter’s with their son spoke of feeling a sense of intimacy with Pope Francis while being near the basilica. “Being here in his home, it feels significant,” they remarked.
As prayers continue, the Vatican remains hopeful but vigilant about Pope Francis’ condition, with the global Catholic community standing in solidarity with their ailing leader.
