Bethany Bell and Gillian Hazel
Rome BBC News
BBC
Ariana, a student at Piacenza in Italy, said she was “really worried” about the Pope’s health.
Catholics around the world are marked as Bible by praying for his recovery, commemorating the 12th anniversary of Pope Francis’ election.
Francis, who was selected on March 13, 2013, has been at Gemeri Hospital in Rome for almost a month. He is being treated for double pneumonia and other infectious diseases, suffering from several respiratory crises, raising concerns about his survival.
The Vatican’s latest breaking news said the 88-year-old is stable after a chest x-ray confirmed a recent “improvement” in his condition.
However, they said his condition is still complicated and he needs further hospital treatment. It is not clear when he will be allowed to leave.
“The clinical state of the holy father remains stable in the context of the overall complex medical image,” according to a statement released by Vatican News.
“Chest X-rays have been performed [on Tuesday] “We have confirmed the improvements we observed the day before radiologically.”
The Pope has not been seen in public since he enrolled in the hospital, and no photos have been made public.
But earlier this month, an audio recording of him speaking in Spanish in his native country was performed at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
His voice was breathless and weak as he faithfully thanked their rosary prayers for his health.
Recently, the Pope took part in a spiritual practice of prayer and meditation held at the Vatican via video links without being seen.
In a break with tradition, Sacred Sea provided daily updates at Francis’ own request.
He is undergoing non-invasive oxygen therapy administered by the nasal duct through a mask during the day and night.
His illness changed the tenor of the way Catholics celebrate his anniversary.
Cardinal Michael Cherney, a senior Vatican official known to be close to Francis, was called “reasons for gratitude.”
“This year, his illnesses are especially grateful to God… we will double our prayers for his full recovery,” Cardinal said.
Born in Jorge Mario Bergolio, Francis was America’s first pope.
In his native Argentina, churches across the country hold a mass of Thanksgiving to commemorate the anniversary. The service also includes prayers for his health.
Catholics around the world pray for the Pope to be “returned to full health,” Father Claudio told the BBC
Father Claudio, who had visited St. Peter’s Square from Angola, said, “The situation in which we found Holy Father, the situation in which he was so sick is truly a huge concern at this moment.”
He added: “We pray that the Holy Father will be restored to full health.”
Ariana, a student from Piacenza, Italy, said she was “really happy” that the Pope is getting better.
“When I heard he was sick I was really upset because he was such a big deal for everyone. I was really worried about him.”
Known to work himself in fatigue, the Pope is likely to face a long road to recovery.
There was speculation that he could chase after his predecessor, Benedict XVI, and choose to resign from the Pope. However, his friends and biographers argue that he has no plans to resign.
2025 is the Holy Year of Catholicism, with 32 million pilgrims expected to come to Rome.
Francis is also planning at least one foreign trip to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the main Christian Council of the Bishop of Ancient Nicaea.
Despite his vulnerable health, he continues to work from the hospital.
“Happy Anniversary, Pope Francis,” Italian Catholic writer Andrea Tornieri wrote in Vatican News.
“We look at the 10th floor window of Jemeri Hospital with love and hope,” he said.
He thanked Pope Francis for “his still weak voice, who recently joined the Rosary in St. Peter’s Square – a fragile voice that continues to plead for peace rather than war, dialogue, oppression, compassion, not indifference.”
“We still need your voice very much,” he said.
