Mass prayer is called for to ask for the health of Pope Francis

Pope Francis' health remains delicate and the Vatican has called for a mass prayer to pray for his health. The prayer will take place tonight in St. Peter's Square and will be led by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin , while the Supreme Pontiff remains hospitalized at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome.

«Starting this evening, the Cardinals resident in Rome, with all the collaborators of the Roman Curia and the Diocese of Rome, gathering together the sentiments of the People of God, will meet in St. Peter's Square at 9 p.m. to recite the Holy Rosary for the health of the Holy Father . Today's prayer will be presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin,» they announced.

Parolin will preside over the rosary in St. Peter's Square tonight at 9:00 p.m. in a "way of showing the closeness of the Church to the Pope and to the sick," said the director of the Holy See's press office, Matteo Bruni . Hundreds of faithful around the world are expected to accompany Pope Francis in his prayers at this difficult time for the 88-year-old Argentine.

In its morning bulletin on the Pope's health, the Vatican Press Office reported that "the night passed well, the Pope slept and is resting." This morning the Supreme Pontiff continued with his treatment in good spirits. However, his last days were complicated due to the respiratory crisis he suffered as a result of bilateral pneumonia.

Days after being admitted to the Polyclinic, his condition worsened and he required the application of high-flow oxygen. In addition, daily blood tests showed thrombocytopenia associated with anemia, which led to the need for transfusions . From then on, his health condition was critical and he began to be monitored more closely.

As if all this were not enough, the medical report from last Sunday reported that blood tests detected an initial mild renal failure , which is currently under control. "The complexity of the clinical picture and the wait required for the pharmacological therapies to take effect mean that the prognosis remains reserved," the Vatican added regarding the health of Pope Francis.

In St. Peter's Square, the Rosary will be prayed for the health of the Holy Father, at 9:00 p.m. (Rome time). Today, the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will preside – Vatican News https://t.co/HlnoXqCPxz

— Vatican News (@vaticannews_es) February 24, 2025