At the entrance of the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Catholic faithful and well-wishers lit candles, placed cards, drawings, and balloons, and stood in solidarity.
Hundreds of people have gathered outside the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy’s capital, to support and pray for Pope Francis. Francis, who has been in the hospital for two weeks, is being treated for pneumonia in both lungs and continues to make a recovery.
At the entrance of the hospital in Rome, Catholic faithful and well-wishers lit candles and placed cards, drawings, and balloons as they stood in solidarity.
The 88-year-old pope was suffering from a serious respiratory illness that led to some complications that doctors said included a “mild kidney insufficiency.”
After reporting a “further, slight improvement” in his condition on Wednesday evening, the Vatican claimed Francis had slept well.
For the past week, a prayer has been held outside the hospital and the nearby statue of St. John Paul II.
“Coming here feels like being in the same room with the Pope; he is such a simple person; he loves the poor, and he stands with ordinary people,” one of them said.
“I have faith that God hears our prayers and that he recovers so that he can finish the job he already started,” she added.
“It’s a situation that concerns us. I feel close to the papacy,” another well wisher said.
I thought that joining these moments of prayer, both private and public, was the right thing to do. It’s a way to show love and support for the papacy. Also, the fact that the Pope called the parish of Gaza is very moving.”
A complex lung infection has kept the 88-year-old Pope hospitalised in critical condition since 14 February.
It was unclear whether Francis would forego this Sunday’s midday benediction for the third consecutive week after the Vatican cancelled a Holy Year audience that was planned for Saturday.
Pope Francis has previously had to limit his involvement in Ash Wednesday and Holy Week events, which require the pope to be outside in the cold leading services, taking part in processions, and presiding over prayers.
The Easter events, which mark the solemn time when the faithful remember Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, are a significant part of the Catholic calendar.
According to the Vatican, Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, is still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen and respiratory physiotherapy to help his lungs expel fluid.
However, since Saturday, the Pope hasn’t had any more respiratory crises, beating back speculation of imminent death.
Video editor • Jerry Fisayo-Bambi
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