Churches in Mumbai on Sunday prayed for the recovery of Pope Francis whose condition is reported to be ‘critical’.
Though the hospital in Rome where he has been admitted has said that the Pope would be hospitalised for ‘at least’ the entirety of the next week, and that he is not ‘in danger of death,’ but also not fully ‘out of danger’, the head of the Roman Catholic church is reported to be alert and has been using an armchair.
On Sunday, the Pope acknowledged the messages and prayers from the faithful by responding in a statement on microblogging site ‘X’. ‘I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children. Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!’, he said.
On Sunday, the Press Office of the Vatican headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church issued a short note saying that the Pope had a peaceful ninth night at Gemelli hospital where he is being treated for double pneumonia. The Pope experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity on Saturday, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen, the news agency said. Blood tests last week revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which requires blood transfusions.
In Mumbai, the Archdiocese of Bombay requested churches to pray for the Pope’s speedy recovery. With deep concern and filial love, we have received the news of the illness of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. As members of the universal Church, united in faith and charity, we are called to support our Holy Father with our prayers, asking the Lord to grant him strength, healing, and a swift recovery, the archdiocese said in its message to its members.
Churches in the city said that prayers for the Pope were part of their Sunday religious services. Agnelo Fernandes, member of the parish pastoral council at Our Lady of Victories Church, Mahim, said that there were prayers in all churches after mass. “Even on his sickbed, Pope Francis continues to sign important documents and make crucial decisions for the church. A true shepherd, leading with unwavering faith until the very end,” said Fernandes
“He (the Pope) is our prime concern these days. His petition is included in the Prayers of the Faithful read out at our Sunday liturgy,” said Father Joe D’Souza, parish priest of Our Lady of Health, Cavel, Kalbadevi. “I prayed ‘One our father, one hail mary, one glory be’ at the start of my Sunday mass.”
