Pope Francis asked Catholics to pray for him because he continued his treatment at a hospital for double pneumonia.
The Pope failed to personally bring out the traditional prayer of Angelus for the second Sunday of running.
But in a message written in the last few days, he said that “he confidently continues” his hospitalization at the Gemelli hospital and “continued with the necessary treatment”.
The message comes after The Vatican revealed on Saturday that the state of 88-year-old was still “critical”.
In his message, published on Sunday, Pope thanked the doctors and healthcare professionals at the hospital and well -in -laws who sent messages.
“In recent days, I have received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly affected by letters and drawings from children,” he wrote.
“Thank you for this closeness and for the prayers of the consolation I received from all over the world! I have entrusted you with Mary’s intercession and ask you to pray for me.”
The 88-year-old was First admitted to the hospital on February 14 After you had difficulty breathing for a few days.
He is especially prone to lung infections due to the development of pleuris – inflammation around the lungs – as an adult and part of one of his lungs removed at the age of 21.
During his 12 years as a leader of the Roman Catholic Church, the Argentine was taken to the hospital several times, including in March 2023. When he spent three nights in a hospital with bronchitis.
The Pope requested openness to his health, so the Vatican began to publish daily statements. The tone and length of the announcement varied, sometimes leaving the pope to try to read between the lines.
On Saturday, the Vatican said that the Roman Catholic leader was awake and spent the day in the armchair, but that “he was not of danger” and that he was “more bad” than he was on Friday.
They added that Pontiff needed blood transfusion due to low platelets – associated with anemia – and needed a “high” oxygen flow.
Doctors who treated the Pope confirmed this week that he had responded to medication, but his condition was complex and the slightest change of circumstances would upset what was called “sensitive balance.”
“He is the pope,” as one of them said. “But he’s also a man.”
The Pope also used his message on Sunday to highlight the third anniversary of the Ukraine war on Monday, and invited people to recall all the victims of the armed conflict and “pray for the gift of peace in Palestine, Israel and across the Middle East, Mjanmar, Kivo and Sudan. “
The Pope usually delivers Angelus’ prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican and is accompanied by a short message.