Pope Francis plans cardinal meeting amidst health concerns

The German agency KNA reports that the Pope wants to convene a consistory, meaning a meeting of all cardinals. He is said to have informed them about this during a meeting in the hospital with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and his deputy, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra.

The date of the meeting has not yet been set.

The meeting is to be called due to the canonization of saints—a tradition that is customary in the Vatican. There would be nothing unusual about this, if not for the deterioration in Francis's health. The media remind us that Benedict XVI announced his resignation on February 11, 2013, also during a consistory convened for the same occasion.

The hierarchs, when asked about the potential resignation of Francis, do not want to take a clear stance. The Archbishop of Marseille, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, stated that "everything is possible." Meanwhile, Cardinal Gianmarco Ravasi said in an interview with Corriere della Sera that if Francis had difficulty performing his duties, he would make such a decision. However, he doubts it will happen this year due to the Jubilee Year being celebrated in the Church.

Journalists at the Vatican were informed that Francis spent the night from Tuesday to Wednesday calmly and is spending the day in an armchair.

It is likely that the results of the CT scan, conducted on Tuesday to monitor bilateral pneumonia, will be presented in the evening medical bulletin.

The Pope was admitted to the hospital on February 14, initially diagnosed with bronchitis. It is now reported to be bilateral pneumonia. He has never been hospitalized this long before. Doctors describe his condition as critical but stable.

At 3 PM Eastern Time, a prayer for the Pope's health will be led at St. Peter's Square by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

Sources: KNA/PAP