ROME: Pope Francis, hospitalised for more than two weeks with double pneumonia, on Sunday thanked believers around the world for their "support" and "affection" as he missed delivering a third straight Angelus prayer in person. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been treated at the Gemelli hospital in Rome since February 14, missed the traditional weekly prayer, which instead was published in the form of a letter the Vatican released at noon. "I would like to thank you for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world. I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am 'carried' and supported by all God's people. Thank you all," wrote the Argentine pontiff.
He concluded by calling for peace in addressing conflicts around the globe. "I pray above all for peace. From here, war appears even more absurd. Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Kivu," the pope wrote. According to the Vatican, the pope spent "a calm night". "The pope is still resting," the Holy See said earlier in its latest health update on the head of the Catholic Church. On Saturday evening, it had said the pope's condition was "stable", adding that he was still receiving oxygen, had no fever, had been eating, was alert and praying.
Francis, leader of the world's almost 1.4 billion Catholics, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with bronchitis that soon developed into pneumonia in both lungs. Last weekend, the Vatican reported he was in a "critical" condition, suffering a major respiratory attack and requiring blood transfusions, prompting widespread concern. After a series of incremental improvements, there was more alarming news on Friday when the Vatican said Francis "presented an isolated crisis of bronchospasm which led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture". "It will take doctors 24 to 48 hours to evaluate the impact" of Friday's breathing crisis, a Vatican source said.
Andrea Ungar, professor of geriatrics at the University of Florence, said on Saturday that it appeared vomit had entered the pope's lungs, which "aggravated the pneumonia". Such an issue normally required a strengthening of antibiotics, ventilation and respiratory exercises, he said. He added the pontiff would likely stay in hospital for some time -- "at least 10 days" in the most optimistic scenario.
Catholics and other well-wishers around the world have been praying for the liberal reformer who has led the Church for almost 12 years. Pilgrims have flocked to the Gemelli hospital, many leaving handwritten messages, including posters illustrated by children, and balloons bearing his image. — AFP
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