Pope Francis remains stable and shares prayers for Ukraine from sick bed
by Barbara Hodgson · ChronicleLivePope Francis remains in a stable condition as his recovery continues in hospital and, while he missed another weekly blessing this Sunday, The Vatican shared his prepared text for it which included thanks to well-wishers and prayers for peace in Ukraine and elsewhere.
"From here, war appears even more absurd," he wrote in his message which was relayed to followers on Sunday morning. Ahead of that, The Vatican said in a update on his condition after Saturday evening: "The night was quiet, the Pope is still resting."
The Vatican has been issuing daily reports on the pontiff's health but again has not given any further major cause of concern in the wake of his set-back on Friday. As previously reported, the head of the Catholic Church - who is being treated for double pneumonia - had to be put on ventilation two days ago after suffering a respiratory crisis but he is said to have had a 'good response' to treatment and since has been stable.
The report of a quiet night and follow-up rest is the second such update in succession as the Pope continues his recovery. This Sunday marked his third week of missing his traditional noon blessing, featuring the Angelus prayer, which - had he been well enough - he might have delivered from his suite at Rome's Gemelli Hospital where he has been since his admission February 14..
Instead, the Vatican distributed his text which was recently prepared and seemed extra timely as it again included prayers for peace in Ukraine and elsewhere. In it, the Pope also thanked his doctors for their care and the well-wishers for their prayers.
He added that hospitalisation is an experience of profound solidarity shared with people who are sick and suffering everywhere. His text read: "I feel in my heart the 'blessing' that is hidden within frailty because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord.
"At the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people." The 88-year-old is said to not have any fever or signs of raised white blood cells which would signal his body is still fighting an infection.
And there have been signs of improvements to his respiratory function. The Vatican says he has been eating and drinking and continuing his respiratory physiotherapy. He also spent 20 minutes in a private chapel down the hall on Saturday, it added.
The pontiff's hospitalisation coincides with commemorations of the Vatican's Holy Year which is drawing pilgrims from all over the world to Rome, where there are crowds in St Peter's Square praying for the Pope. Pilgrimages are also being made to the hilltop Umbrian town of Assisi where prayers are being offered to his namesake, St Francis.
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