For the first time in three weeks, the world on Thursday night heard the voice of the hospitalized Pope Francis, when the audio recording was reproduced through the speakers ahead of the Rosary that the believers prayed every day at St. Peter’s Square.
“I thank you from the heart for the prayers for my health from the square,” Francis said. “I follow you from here. May God bless you and the virgin protect you. Thank you.”
The Pope slowly spoke in Spanish, his mother tongue. But as much as he was melted and a weak, church leader, his voice launched an eruption of applause among thousands of believers in the square.
The Vatican said that the message was recorded earlier that day at Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, a hospital in Rome, where Francis, 88, was admitted on February 14 with bronchitis that developed into pneumonia in both lungs, along with other infections.
The Vatican did not post any picture of Francis, citing respect for his privacy.
During his stay in the hospital, the Pope had two respiratory crises, recently on Monday, when a significant accumulation of mucus in his bronchial tubes as a result of pneumonia required the suction of his airways. Since then, it has received non -invasive mechanical ventilation and high oxygen flow during the day during the night, along with other treatment.
On Thursday, the Vatican said that Francis remained stable and had no fever. It said the next medical newsletter would be released on Saturday afternoon. Doctors warned that Francis’s condition remained complex and that the prognosis was still kept.
For 11 days every night at 9 evenings, the Rosary for Pope’s Health at St. Peter Square has been recited. Prayer services and special masses were held around the worldand even among Francis’s colleague Argentines in RomeAs the world remains affected by the uncertainty because of the fragile health of the pope.
“I hope the gentleman gives him the strength to keep himself,” said Anna Urru, her grandmother, during the third visit of St. Petrov Square to pray the Rosary for the pope. “I think we give him great help with our prayer. I hope that the Lord will return to good health.”
Andrea Vincezi, who came from Reggio Emilia in northern Italy, came to the square with her husband and son to recite the rosary. Hearing the Pope’s voice, he said, “he was very touching.”
“I hope he will be better,” Mr. Vincezi said.
