Pontiff will not say the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday, but will send a text that will be published, just like last week, explained Matteo Bruni, Vatican spokesman
The hospitalized eight days ago by a bilateral, spent a good night, said on Saturday (22), although, according to his doctors, the 88 -year -old Argentine pontiff is not yet “out of danger.” “Pope Francis rested well,” the Holy See said in a brief statement released on Saturday morning. However, he is not out of danger and will remain hospitalized “at least throughout the next week,” his doctors announced on Friday.
The Pontiff will not say the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday, but will send a text that will be published, just like last week, explained Matteo Bruni, spokesman for the Vatican. Francisco was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital of Rome for a bronchitis on February 14, and on the 18th, the Holy See announced that he suffered from bilateral pneumonia, a potentially fatal pulmonary tissue infection. The hospitalization of the Catholic Church leader caused speculation about his future, although doctors stated on Friday that he managed to get up and is not connected to any device.
In recent days, the Pope has been visited by his closest collaborators at the hospital. Francisco reads, signs documents and makes telephone calls, said the Vatican. Earlier this week, he received the visit of the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said the pontiff was “alert” and “receptive”. The cardinals expressed optimism and declared that he was “on the right way.”
“Animating News”
Hospitalization, the fourth since 2021, has rekindled concern for the health of the Catholic Church leader, already weakened by a number of problems in recent years, including colon and abdomen operations, as well as difficulties to walk. The restlessness with his Pontiff’s health increased after the disclosure of false information on social networks, especially on platform X, which reported his death in several languages.
“I know some out there say that my time has arrived, they always bring me bad luck!” Replied Francisco, according to the Italian press, Giorgia Meloni during her visit. The hospitalization of Jorge Bergoglio, a spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics and head of state of the Vatican City, also fueled speculation about his ability to continue in office. Canon law, however, provides no device in case of a problem that changes its lucidity.
It also rekindled speculation about a possible renunciation of the Pope, fueled by the opponents of Francis, in particular in the conservative circles. “I have the impression that they are useless speculation,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State and Vatican number two, commented on Saturday in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
“Thank God, the news coming from Gemelli is encouraging, he is recovering,” he added. Despite the health problems of recent years, Pope Francis, known for his force of character, has maintained an intense agenda, although his doctors insist that he should reduce his activities a little.
Posted by Luisa Cardoso
*With information from AFP
