VATICAN CITY (RNS) — As he continues a nearly three-week hospital stay, Pope Francis shared a voice recording to faithful and clergy gathered to pray the rosary for his recovery on Thursday (March 6).
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here,” the pope said from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome in a raspy, labored voice, played for those gathered outside St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”
Vatican prelates and faithful have met in St. Peter’s Square every evening to pray the rosary in front of a painting showing the Virgin and Child, known as the Madonna of the Column. On Thursday, Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime, the pro-prefect of the Vatican department for consecrated life, led the prayer service. The prefect of the department is Sister Simona Brambilla, the first woman to occupy the position. So far, only cardinal heads of Vatican departments have led the rosary.
After a severe respiratory insufficiency on Monday, Pope Francis has remained stable, according to doctors at the Gemelli Hospital, where he has been treated for bilateral pneumonia since Feb. 14.
“The Holy Father’s clinical conditions have remained stable compared to the previous days,” read a Vatican statement on Thursday relaying the doctors’ report.
During the night, the pope continues to receive noninvasive mechanical ventilation, in which a mask is placed over his mouth and nose to promote the flow of oxygen.
The pope received high-oxygen flow though his nostrils and had respiratory physiotherapy during the day. His blood tests have also remained stable and he does not have a fever, the statement read.
“Today, too, he has not shown episodes of respiratory failure,” the statement said.
The 88-year-old pontiff resumed some work activities, the statement said, alternating rest and prayer.
The doctors said that given “the stability of the clinical picture,” they will not release another statement until Saturday unless there are new developments.
