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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Church leaders call for prayers as Pope Francis remains hospitalized

Church leaders call for prayers as Pope Francis remains hospitalized

Published Feb 19, 2025 08:41 am
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Pope Francis during the prayer for peace inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Oct. 27, 2023 (CBCP News)

Catholic leaders in the Philippines have called on the faithful to pray for Pope Francis’ health as he continues treatment for a respiratory infection.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), urged Catholics to keep the pope in their prayers while he remains hospitalized.

“May I ask for your prayers for his healing and recovery during this challenging time,” David said.

Archbishop Charles Brown, the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, echoed the call, asking for prayers for the pope’s swift recovery and healing.

“I appeal to everyone to please pray for the Holy Father, pray for his speedy recovery,” Brown said over Church-run Radio Veritas.

“Let us also pray for all the doctors and nurses who are taking care of him,” he added.

The Vatican on Feb. 18 reported that Pope Francis developed pneumonia in both lungs, following new tests that revealed further complications for the 88-year-old pontiff.

The Holy See Press Office shared that a chest CT scan showed “the onset of bilateral pneumonia, which required additional drug therapy.”

“Pope Francis is in good spirits” and had “received the Eucharist and spent the day resting, praying, and reading,” the Vatican said.

The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 for bronchitis treatment and to undergo necessary tests.

Before his hospitalization, Pope Francis had continued to hold daily audiences at his Vatican residence, attended his general audience, and led an outdoor Mass.

However, he had delegated his speeches to an aide, citing breathing difficulties.

Related Tags

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David papal nuncio charles brown CBCP Pope Francis
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