Pope Francis health concern: Gemelli staff hold Vatican vigil
Employees of the Gemelli Polyclinic prayed at the Vatican for the health of Pope Francis, who has been in the hospital for two weeks. Instead of the planned audience, a Mass was held at St. Peter's Basilica.
Employees of Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic, where Pope Francis has been staying for over two weeks, gathered on Saturday at the Vatican to pray for his health. Instead of the planned papal audience on the occasion of the Holy Year, they participated in a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica.
Concerning news about the pope: clinic employees prayed for Francis' health
The Mass was conducted by Bishop Claudio Giuliodori, the ecclesiastical assistant of the Sacred Heart Catholic University, which owns the Gemelli Polyclinic. In his homily, Bishop Giuliodori emphasized that everyone is praying for the pope's quick recovery.
"Our thoughts are primarily with the Holy Father, with whom we were supposed to meet this morning in the Paul VI Audience Hall," said the bishop. "But he surprised us by visiting us at the Gemelli Polyclinic," he added.
Bishop Giuliodori noted that everyone supports the doctors with prayer so they can choose the most appropriate and effective therapeutic methods. He also referred to the motto of the Holy Year, "Pilgrims of Hope," emphasizing that all present are also pilgrims of hope.
The pope's health condition
Vatican sources reported that Pope Francis has not had another respiratory crisis since the incident on Friday involving a bronchial spasm. As a result, bronchoaspiration and non-invasive mechanical ventilation were used. Although the clinical picture remains complex, the pope does not have a fever, and the Friday crisis did not affect other organs.
Doctors emphasize that the threat has not passed, so they refrain from presenting prognoses. A new medical bulletin is to be announced in the evening.
The Vatican announced that due to rain, Saturday's rosary prayer for the pope's health will not be held in St. Peter's Square but in the basilica. It will be led by the prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti.
