Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will lead an evening rosary at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Tuesday, Feb. 25 (4 a.m. on Feb. 26 in Manila) to pray for the health and recovery of Pope Francis.
According to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the service will begin at 9 p.m. (Rome time). It will be streamed live on Vatican News’ online platforms.
The rosary is part of a nightly initiative launched by the Vatican, with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin leading the first prayer service on Monday, Feb. 24.
Cardinal Tagle, who is also the pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, participated in Monday’s rosary alongside hundreds of other Catholics.
The latest update from the Vatican said that Pope Francis spent a restful 11th night at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
The Holy See Press Office confirmed that the pontiff “rested well” overnight, showing slight improvement, though his condition remains critical.
In Manila, bishops held a moment of silence and offered prayers for the pope’s recovery at the Manila Cathedral during the episcopal ordination of Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr. of Balanga on Feb. 25.