Pope Francis is stable as prayers echo through St. Peter's square
Pope Francis spent a peaceful night in the hospital, the Holy See Press Office reported.
Pope Francis, who is currently hospitalized, had a restful night and awoke. The Holy See Press Office reported that his health condition remains stable, with no episodes of respiratory failure.
The next medical update about the pope's condition will be issued on Saturday.
In the Thursday evening medical bulletin, it was reported that the clinical condition of the 88-year-old Francis is stable, and he had no episodes of respiratory failure.
The faithful pray for Francis's health
On Thursday evening, at the beginning of the prayer for the pope's health at St. Peter's Square, Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime, who led the prayer, made his first public remarks since the pope was hospitalized on February 14.
Francis, with a weakened voice, expressed with apparent difficulty in Spanish: "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here."
"May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you," added the pope.
In this recording, a person in suffering could be heard, as emphasized by the media. "The pope's voice moved the world," noted the Italian newspaper "Il Giornale." Meanwhile, "Il Messaggero" highlighted that it is the voice of a man who "fights vigorously with a severe illness."
The 88-year-old Francis is struggling with a serious case of pneumonia. He was admitted to the Gemelli Clinic on February 14. Prior to his admission, he had been experiencing breathing problems for several days.
