'In a scary world, he gives us hope': Faithful gather to support the Pope

Pope Francis, a significant figure in the Catholic Church, has recently been hospitalized, prompting many faithful to gather in prayer for his recovery. On January 26, 2025, a special Holy Mass was held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, focusing on young communication professionals. This event drew numerous Catholics who came together to pray for the Pope's health, as his doctors reported a slight improvement in his condition. The Pope, who is 88 years old, had experienced a serious decline in health over the weekend, struggling to breathe and requiring blood transfusions. However, recent updates indicate that he is now able to sit up, eat normally, and engage in what the Vatican describes as 'light work,' which includes reading and signing documents. Stacey, a medical student from Paris, expressed her relief, stating, 'It was a bit scary last weekend but a bit better now. ' She noted that Pope Francis is particularly popular among young people due to his openness and ability to inspire hope in a world that can often feel frightening. Stacey, who was wearing large glasses and a scarf, was attending the prayers for the second time, reflecting the sentiments of many who have gathered to support the Pope. Another attendee, Xiomara from Panama, shared her feelings about Pope Francis, describing him as 'a good man' and emphasizing the power of prayer, saying, 'Prayers always help, they don't just hang in the air. ' The rosary prayers were led by Cardinal Battista Re, a prominent figure in the Vatican who would be responsible for convening a conclave to elect a new Pope if Francis were unable to continue in his role. Despite the slight improvement in the Pope's health, his medical team has not provided a clear prognosis. He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 due to double pneumonia, and a CT scan of his lungs has shown a 'normal evolution,' suggesting he is responding well to treatment. While he still requires additional oxygen, he has not experienced any further respiratory crises. The tone among Vatican officials has shifted slightly, with the Pope's condition being described as 'stable' for the first time. However, they cautioned that this does not mean he is completely out of danger. Many people are concerned about the future, especially since the Pope was already frail before this illness. Speculation has arisen regarding whether he might consider resigning, particularly in light of the precedent set by Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down in 2013, marking the first resignation in six centuries. Pope Francis has previously stated that he would contemplate resigning if he could no longer fulfill his duties. Austen Ivereigh, who co-authored a book with the Pope, believes that Francis will strive to continue as long as he is able. He remarked, 'He's shown he doesn't mind being a weak and frail Pope; he can be a Pope in a wheelchair, or one who gets ill regularly and that's ok. ' Nevertheless, if his health prognosis were to worsen significantly, the issue of resignation might arise. Even while the Pope is in the hospital, the Vatican continues to function. He has been signing important documents, and his secretary of state, along with another senior official, visited him. Officially, the Pope signed papers that moved candidates further along the path to sainthood. However, some question the urgency of these actions given the Pope's frailty and wonder what other discussions took place during that meeting. As the Pope enters his 14th day in the hospital, pilgrims visiting Rome are already feeling the impact of his absence. His weekly audience with the faithful has been canceled for the second consecutive week. Mabi, a supporter of the Pope, expressed her desire for him to recover and continue his important work, particularly in promoting the role of women in the church. 'He's a people's Pope, and people want his work to continue,' she said. Fr Cristiano, a priest from northern Italy, shared his concerns as well, stating, 'I'm not disappointed, I'm just worried for him. ' Around him, nearly 100 Catholics were preparing to process towards St. Peter's behind a large wooden crucifix, reflecting the deep sense of community and support for the Pope during this challenging time.