The Roman Catholics around the world prayed for Pope Francis, who is hospitalized in critical condition, at mass Sunday after the Vatican announced that he was “not out of danger”.
The 88 -year -old pontiff went to hospital on February 14 with an infection that turned into pneumonia in the two lungs. He had a long “asthmatic respiratory crisis” on Saturday which required “high oxygen flows” and a blood transfusion, said the Vatican.
Francis is the spiritual leader of almost 1.4 billion Roman Catholics in the world since 2013. And in the world, there have been prayers for his recovery.
At the Cathedral of Myeongdong in Seoul, Pat Santos, a tourist of the Philippines, described the Pope as “the symbol of Christianity”.
“Pneumonia is a serious illness for its age, which is why we have to worry,” said Santos, 31, who visited South Korea with his family. “Let him recover very well so that he can take advantage of his retirement.”
Francis has undergone damage to his lungs in the past, and in recent days, some cardinals have openly talked about the possibility of resigning, as his predecessor did, Benedict XVI, in 2013.
The doctors said on Friday that Francis would remain in the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, a hospital in Rome, for at least a week. They said he was also in critical condition on Friday, but the announcement on Saturday said a more complicated situation.
There were prayers for the Pope during Sunday services in Nairobi, Kenya, as well as Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, and in the Philippines, where Almost 80% of the population is Roman Catholic.
“Once again, we continue to keep Pope Francis in our prayers. May the Lord continue to extend his love, mercy and healing to him, ” Father Vicente Gabriel Bautista said During Sunday mass at Manila cathedral, which also organized a special vigil for Francis on Friday.
Aurora Agustin, a candle seller, said that she was sitting in front of the Quiapo church in Manila and prayed since Friday.
“I pray for his rapid recovery because he is our chef and is very well loved,” said Ms. Agustin, 54.
Neneth Felix, a church volunteer in Paranaque, south of Manila, said that she was praying for Francis to have a longer life.
“When I pray for my family at night, I include Pope Francis in my prayers,” said Felix, 62. “I am touched by his humility – everything that concerns him reflects.”
Aie Balagtas see Manila’s contributed reports.
