Thousands of Catholics gathered in St. Peter’s Square Monday evening to pray the Rosary for the Pope, whose condition remained serious but showed “slight improvement” as he continued treatment on his 11th day in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
The 88-year-old Pontiff was still receiving oxygen therapy through his nose, although at a slightly reduced flow and concentration, according to the Holy See Press Office.
Doctors reported no further episodes of respiratory distress following a “respiratory crisis” on Saturday.
Some of the Pope’s laboratory tests had improved, and his “mild kidney insufficiency” remained under observation but was not a cause for concern, the Vatican said.
Pope Francis received the Eucharist on Monday morning and resumed some work in the afternoon. Later in the day, he called the parish priest in Gaza to express his solidarity.
Prayers for the Pope’s recovery have continued worldwide since he was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 14 with bronchitis. Concerns over his health escalated over the weekend when the Vatican reported that he had suffered “an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity” while suffering from pneumonia in both of his lungs. The episode required high-flow oxygen therapy, and the Pope received a blood transfusion for platelet deficiency.
On Monday evening, crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pray the Rosary for the Pope, led by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. It marked the first of a series of nightly Rosary prayers for the Pope at 9 p.m. this week led by members of the College of Cardinals living in Rome.
Pope Francis thanked all the faithful who have gathered to pray for his health in recent days,” the Vatican said in its statement.
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