Pope absent from St Peter’s Square for third week running
For the third week in a row, Pope Francis has been unable to pray in person, and the Vatican has made his written comments.
The Vatican said the text sent from his hospital room in Rome was written in “the past few days.” The Pope in it thanked the people for their prayers and for the care of his medical team.
He wrote: “The ‘blessing’ hidden deep in my heart in vulnerability, because it is at these moments that we will learn more to trust the Lord.”
“At the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share my physical and mental state to make the situation of many sick and suffering people.”
The Pope told Catholics around the world that he felt his “feelings and intimacy.”
“I feel like I’m ‘carrying’ and have the support of all God’s people. Thank you everyone!” read the text.
In the latest update from the Vatican, Pope Francis is said to have rested after “peace”.
According to the Vatican, on Sunday morning, “the pope woke up, ate breakfast with coffee, continued his treatment, and went to read the newspaper as usual.”
The pope hosted two tourists at Gemelli Hospital on Sunday – the first outside visitor mentioned by the Vatican last Monday.
Again, the Vatican Cardinal Cardinal Parolin and his deputy, Vice-Chairman of Pena Parra, who saw Pope Francis in his 10th floor hospital room. There is no detail about the time they spent with him or the time they discussed.
The pope suffered a second breathing “crisis” on Friday, after which he received additional oxygen support – but no intubation.
By Saturday night, the Vatican described his condition as stable, without fever and no further “crisis” in breathing. He is said to be “smart” and eats a normal diet.
The pope also prayed for peace in Angelus on Sunday, including in “torture of Ukraine, Palestine, Israel”, adding: “From here on the start of the war, it seems even more ridiculous.”
On Sunday, Vatican tourists usually gather in St. Peter’s Square and see the pope appearing on the high windows of the Apostle Palace in the official Pope’s apartment.
However, Francis did not live there and chose the simpler Santa Marta hotel in the Vatican.
