Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, joined the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in asking the faithful to pray for Pope Francis as he continues receiving medical care in hospital.
The Holy See Press Office provided an update in the evening of Feb. 19, stating that the Pope’s condition remains stable and shows slight improvement in his inflammatory markers, which are used to monitor infections.
The statement noted that he has been keeping to his routine, reading newspapers, working with his close collaborators, and receiving the Eucharist. In the afternoon, he met privately with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Archbishop Miller has asked Catholics to join in prayer for the Holy Father’s recovery. He shared a special Prayer for the Holy Father, asking God to restore Pope Francis to good health so he may continue serving the Church. The prayer can be found on the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s website: rcav.org/announcements/prayer-for-the-holy-father.
Bishop William T. McGrattan, president of the CCCB, expressed the Canadian bishops’ solidarity with the Pope.
“I wish to assure the faithful of Canada that I am united with my brother Bishops in praying for the full recovery of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, as he continues to lead the Church with courage and a generosity of spirit,” he said.
He encouraged individuals, families, and parishes across Canada to pray for the Pope, invoking Mary’s intercession for his strength and healing.
The 88-year-old Francis, who has been receiving treatment for a polymicrobial respiratory infection at Gemelli Hospital since Friday, received an additional diagnosis of double pneumonia on Feb. 18.
The Vatican said on Wednesday that Pope Francis had breakfast, read a few newspapers, and did some work with the help of his secretaries. Before lunch, the Pontiff received the Eucharist, and in the afternoon he was visited by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for 20 minutes.
According to the prime minister’s office, Meloni wished the Pope a quick recovery on behalf of the Italian government and the whole country.
The Italian prime minister said she found Francis “alert and responsive.”
“We joked as always. He has not lost his legendary sense of humor,” Meloni added.
A Vatican source said Wednesday morning that Pope Francis does not need supplemental oxygen, that is heart is holding up well, and he is able to occasionally sit in an armchair.
The Vatican has said Francis is receiving cortisone antibiotic therapy to treat a “complex” medical situation, but he “is in good spirits” and asks for continued prayers.
With B.C. Catholic and Vatican News files
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