ROME — Pope Francis spent a “peaceful night and is resting,” according to a succinct Saturday morning statement from the Holy See Press Office.
This update follows Friday’s concerning development when the 88-year-old pope began noninvasive ventilation at Gemelli Hospital after experiencing “an isolated crisis of bronchospasm” that resulted in “a sudden worsening” of his respiratory condition, according to the Vatican.
The Holy Father’s condition had been described as “complex” with a “guarded” prognosis in earlier updates.
Catholics worldwide continue to pray for Pope Francis, with the nightly rosary vigil at St. Peter’s Square drawing faithful participants since the pontiff’s hospitalization for bilateral pneumonia in mid-February.
Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, will lead tonight’s rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at 9:00 p.m. local time. The nightly prayer vigil continues to draw cardinals residing in Rome, Vatican officials, and faithful from around the city.
On Friday night, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, led the recitation of the rosary, joined by other cardinals, Roman Curia leaders, and the faithful who gathered for the evening prayer in solidarity with the hospitalized pontiff.
Source: Catholic News Agency
