Pope Francis has asked Catholics to pray for him as he continues to receive treatment in hospital for double pneumonia, reports the BBC.
The Pope’s message comes after the Vatican revealed on Saturday that the 88-year-old’s condition continues to be “critical.”
Pope Francis was unable to deliver the traditional Angelus prayer in person for the second Sunday running.
The Pope is hospitalised at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and “carrying on with the necessary treatment.”
In his message, released on Sunday, the Pope thanked the doctors and health workers at the hospital and the well-wishers who sent messages.
“In recent days I have received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children,” he wrote.
“Thank you for this closeness, and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world! I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary, and I ask you to pray for me.”
The 88-year-old was first admitted to hospital on 14 February after experiencing difficulties breathing for several days, the report by the BBC adds.
He is especially prone to lung infections due to developing pleurisy – an inflammation around the lungs – as an adult and having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.
During his 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic church, the Argentine has been admitted to hospital several times, including in March 2023 when he spent three nights in hospital with bronchitis.
Doctors treating the Pope confirmed this week that he was responding to medication, but his condition was complex, and the slightest change of circumstance would upset what was called a “delicate balance”.
