Pope Francis’ Doctors Reduce His Use of Mechanical Ventilation: Vatican Tuesday Updates

The Vatican has shared the first photo of Pope Francis since he entered Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Feb. 14.

“This morning, Pope Francis concelebrated holy Mass in the chapel of the 10th-floor apartment at the Gemelli Polyclinic,” according to a statement from the Vatican Press Office.

In the photo, the Holy Father can be seen seated before the altar of the chapel where he concelebrated the Eucharist. The Vatican also reported that “the pope’s condition remains stable” and after concelebrating Sunday Mass, “he is continuing with the prescribed therapies,” including respiratory and physical therapy.

Pope Francis did not receive any visitors Sunday, instead dedicating the day to “prayer, rest, and some work.”

The Vatican says Pope Francis’ condition remains “stable” and that the Holy Father’s therapies continue to show “further, gradual improvement.”

Francis still needs “hospital medical therapy, motor and respiratory physiotherapy,” the Vatican’s Saturday evening update says, though the pope’s high-flow oxygen therapy is “progressively reducing the need for noninvasive mechanical ventilation at night.”

The pope’s ongoing stable condition “confirm[s] the progress highlighted in the last week,” the Vatican says.

A Vatican source says the pope remains in “a clinical situation of stability, in a framework that remains complex.” The Holy Father spent Saturday doing prayer, therapy, rest, and some work.

Pope Francis’ health condition remains “stable yet complex” as his hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital continues.

This evening, prayers for the pope’s recovery will continue as the Governorate of Vatican City State leads the nightly rosary. Monsignor Emilio Nappa, secretary-general, will guide the prayer service.

The 88-year-old pontiff continues to receive oxygen therapy and respiratory physiotherapy.

The Holy See Press Office announced yesterday it will now provide medical updates only when there is significant new information to share.

From his hospital room, the pontiff has approved another synodal process, according to Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops.

In a letter to Church leaders, Grech announces a special postsynodal ecclesial assembly scheduled for October 2028.

“The goal is not to add work upon work but to help Churches walk in a synodal style,” Grech writes.

The Holy See Press Office says on Friday that updates about Pope Francis’ health will be less frequent as his situation remains stable amid a slow recovery.

Medical bulletins written by the pope’s doctors nearly daily since the 88-year-old Francis’ admission to Gemelli Hospital 29 days ago will now be issued only when doctors feel there is new information to share, the press office says. The Holy See Press Office will now hold just an evening briefing for journalists, eliminating the morning briefing and morning message about how the pope’s night went.

After four weeks in the hospital for bronchitis and double pneumonia, doctors have said Pope Francis’ health condition remains complex while showing minor improvements.

The Italian postal service said this week it had seen a surge in the volume of letters for Pope Francis since the start of his hospitalization.

One sorting center is receiving up to 330 pounds more mail per day for the Vatican, and another Rome sorting center noted that “hundreds of letters” are arriving every week from around the world addressed to Pope Francis at Gemelli Hospital.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed Francis’ health during a phone call March 14.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote that in their phone call, “I wished Pope Francis a speedy recovery and thanked him for his prayers and moral support for our people, as well as for his efforts in facilitating the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported and displaced by Russia.”

Marking a whole month in the hospital on Friday, Pope Francis is undergoing another morning of therapy for pneumonia, including oxygen treatment and respiratory physiotherapy, as his condition remains “stationary,” according to the Vatican.

A new medical bulletin will be issued this evening.

The recovering pontiff followed the conclusion of the spiritual exercises for Lent led by Capuchin Father Roberto Pasolini in the Paul VI Audience Hall via video link.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrated a morning Mass for the pope with the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See.

In his homily reflecting on today’s Gospel reading, the Vatican secretary of state emphasizes the need to “disarm language” and move from confrontation to benevolence in a time of war.

“We gather in prayer this morning for the health of the Holy Father, that he may recover and return to us soon. We also wish to remember the 12th anniversary of his election to the pontificate, celebrated yesterday,” Parolin says during the Mass in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.

The cardinal’s Lenten-themed homily includes several references to global current events, noting that “on our own we cannot manage, we need help, but it is also true that the Lord provides us with the means to realize his word.”

The rosary prayer service for the pope this evening will be led by Monsignor Lucio Adrian Ruiz, secretary of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication.

On Thursday, Pope Francis marks the 12th anniversary of his papacy from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for pneumonia for nearly a month. 

Hospital staff commemorate the occasion by presenting the 88-year-old pontiff with a cake adorned with candles. Additionally, he receives hundreds of drawings, messages, and letters from children and well-wishers worldwide. 

The Vatican tells journalists that Pope Francis continued his medication regimen, motor physiotherapy, and high-flow oxygen therapy on Thursday morning. He participated in spiritual exercises and prayed in the hospital chapel. 

In the afternoon, he joined the Roman Curia’s spiritual exercises via video link to the Paul VI Hall and continued respiratory therapy. His clinical condition remains stable yet complex, according to the Vatican, with ongoing noninvasive mechanical ventilation at night and high-flow oxygenation during the day. 

Pope Francis spent a peaceful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he now has received treatment for pneumonia for nearly a month, the Holy See Press Office announces Thursday morning.

“The night passed restfully,” the Vatican states in a brief morning update without providing additional details about the pope’s condition.

On Wednesday evening, officials described his situation as “stable” within a “complex overall picture.”

Today marks the pontiff’s 26th night in the medical facility, where he continues participating in the Roman Curia’s Lenten retreat exercises via video connection from his hospital room.

The hospitalization coincides with a significant milestone in Francis’ papacy — the Argentine pontiff was elected on March 13, 2013, meaning he is spending the 12th anniversary of his election to the chair of Peter in medical care.

According to the Vatican, Archbishop Filippo Iannone, O Carm, prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, will lead the rosary prayer for the pontiff this evening. The nightly rosary has become a regular spiritual practice during the pope’s extended stay at the Gemelli Clinic.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, will celebrate a special Mass for the Holy Father on Friday, March 14, at 10:30 a.m. in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace. The diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See will be present at the liturgy, which will be broadcast live via Vatican Media.

A new chest X-ray confirms there has been a slight improvement to Pope Francis’ lungs though his overall condition remains “complex” and “stationary,” a medical bulletin distributed by the Holy See Press Office says on Wednesday.

The latest medical update about the 88-year-old pope does not give a long-term prognosis. Francis continues to receive oxygen support day and night.

Also on Wednesday, the Holy See Press Office denies a statement by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I claiming that Pope Francis was confirmed to be planning a visit to Turkey in May for the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.

The press office said the Holy See has never mentioned a papal trip to Turkey, and while the visit is under consideration, it has never been officially announced.

The pontiff continues to spend his time doing physical and respiratory therapy, praying, and following via video the talks of the papal preacher Father Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, for the spiritual exercises of the Roman Curia. Pope Francis is not doing any work during the weeklong retreat, as is his custom, a Vatican source says.

There are no particular plans for celebrating the 12th anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate on March 13.

As Pope Francis perseveres through his hospital stay, the universal Church prepares to commemorate tomorrow’s 12th anniversary of his election to the papacy.

A medical bulletin is expected this evening following the recitation of the rosary, Vatican officials confirm on Wednesday morning.

The pope continues his prescribed therapies at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, including respiratory and active movement therapy.

According to midday updates from the Vatican Press Office, the Holy Father follows the curial spiritual exercises via video from his hospital room. On Monday, his medical team at Gemelli Hospital indicated that Francis is no longer in immediate danger, with signs of slight improvement, though his clinical situation remains complex.

“Not much else is known while awaiting the doctors’ assessment,” a Vatican source notes. Meanwhile, the faithful gather to pray in the plaza before the St. John Paul II statue at Gemelli, with Masses celebrated in the chapel at the main entrance.

Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, will lead the rosary this evening at 6 p.m.

The 12th anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate falls tomorrow, March 13, though no official Vatican celebrations are planned. However, many Catholic institutions are organizing Eucharistic celebrations to mark the occasion.

The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross is among those commemorating the anniversary, reports ACI Stampa, CNA’s Italian-language news partner.

On Thursday, Rector Fernando Puig will preside at a Mass at 12:45 p.m. in the Basilica of St. Apollinare to celebrate the milestone.

Puig reflects on the pope’s leadership: “In these years, Pope Francis’ magisterium has constantly called us to the centrality of proclaiming the Gospel, to witnessing mercy, and to an increasingly concrete commitment to the culture of encounter and hope. As the academic community of the Holy Cross, we renew our commitment to form priests, religious, and laity capable of carrying forward this mission with competence and a spirit of service.”

The pontiff has been hospitalized at the Gemelli Clinic since Feb. 14, with his most recent respiratory crisis occurring over a week ago. Since then, his condition has stabilized and recently shown improvement.

Pope Francis’ health has shown slight improvements, though his overall condition remains complex, the Holy See Press Office says Tuesday evening.

The 88-year-old pope received high-flow oxygen therapy on Tuesday afternoon as part of his ongoing treatment and remains on his prescribed medication.

Vatican sources confirmed that now that the pope’s condition has stabilized, his doctors have “lifted the prognosis,” indicating that Pope Francis is “no longer in immediate danger from the respiratory infection.”

The Vatican is currently not providing an estimate for when the pope may be discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been hospitalized for nearly a month. A CT scan may be performed in the coming days to assess his pneumonia.

Pope Francis spent much of Tuesday afternoon in prayer, receiving the Eucharist and following the spiritual exercises for the annual Lenten retreat for the Roman Curia via livestream.

Due to the Roman Curia’s spiritual exercises, there is no general audience on the calendar for this week and therefore no catechesis will be released on Wednesday.

Pope Francis has rested well and continued his prescribed therapies this morning at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, according to the Vatican.

The Holy Father also participated in spiritual exercises via videoconference following the Lenten retreat led by Father Roberto Pasolini in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that the pontiff prayed in the small chapel near his room on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital, where he has now been admitted for 26 days.

Due to the pope’s stable condition, no medical bulletin will be released this evening, though the Holy See Press Office will provide general updates to journalists as usual.

According to Vatican sources, the pope’s mood remains positive as he converses with staff caring for him. Medical teams noted yesterday that recent improvements have been “further strengthened,” as confirmed by blood work and the patient’s overall clinical condition.

Doctors have indicated Francis responds well to treatment but will need to remain hospitalized for “several more days.”

Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, will lead tonight’s rosary for the pope at 6 p.m. Rome time.

Pope Francis’ clinical condition “continues to be stable,” the Vatican reports on Monday evening.

“The improvements recorded in the previous days have been further consolidated, as confirmed by both blood tests and clinical objectivity and the good response to drug therapy,” the Holy See Press Office statement says.

As the pope continues to respond well to treatment, the Gemelli Hospital decides to “dissolve the prognosis” but confirms that the 88-year-old pontiff has to remain at Gemelli for treatment.

“However, in view of the complexity of the clinical picture and the important infectious picture presented on admission, it will be necessary to continue, for additional days, medical drug therapy in a hospital setting,” the statement says.

In the morning, the Holy Father participated in the first day of the Roman Curia’s spiritual exercises held in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall via a video link.

He also “received the Eucharist and went to the chapel of the private apartment for a moment of prayer” before joining spiritual exercises again in the afternoon.

“During the day he alternated between prayer and rest,” the Vatican update concludes.

Pope Francis spent a peaceful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he continues his recovery while participating remotely in the Lenten spiritual exercises, according to a Monday update from the Holy See Press Office.

The pontiff has resumed respiratory and physical therapy after transitioning from noninvasive mechanical ventilation during the night to high-flow oxygen through nasal cannulas.

The statement notes that Francis followed the Curia’s spiritual exercises via video from his hospital chair this morning, joining participants spiritually in the event in the Paul VI Audience Hall.

The 88-year-old pope has been informed about flooding in Argentina and “expresses his closeness to those affected,” the press office states.

While his medical condition remains “stable within a complex framework,” doctors maintain a reserved prognosis. A medical bulletin, which wasn’t published Sunday due to the stable clinical picture, is expected to be released Monday evening.

The rosary for the pope’s health will be prayed at approximately 6 p.m. local time in the Paul VI Hall. Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, will lead the prayer.

Today marks the 25th day of hospitalization for Pope Francis, who was admitted to the Gemelli Polyclinic on Feb. 14.

Pope Francis has spent another tranquil night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican Press Office announces Sunday morning.

Saturday evening’s medical bulletin indicated cautious signs of improvement three weeks after the pontiff’s admission: “The Holy Father’s clinical condition has remained stable in recent days, showing a good response to treatment.”

The 88-year-old pope plans to join the Roman Curia spiritually for their Lenten retreat beginning on the First Sunday of Lent. The Vatican will release the text of the pope’s Angelus message in writing later today.

The rosary for Pope Francis tonight at St. Peter’s Square will be presided over by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

The Vatican says Pope Francis’ condition on Saturday evening remains “stable” with the Holy Father showing a “gradual, slight improvement” in his condition.

The pope’s stability on Saturday “testifies to a good response to therapy,” the Holy See Press Office says.

The Holy Father has “always remained [without a fever],” the Vatican notes, adding: “Gas exchanges have improved; blood chemistry and haemocrocitometric tests are confirmed to be stable.”

“The doctors, in order to record these initial improvements in the coming days, prudentially still keep the prognosis reserved,” the press office says.

On Saturday morning, meanwhile, Francis received the Eucharist, prayed in the chapel of the papal hospital apartment, and later “alternated rest with work activities,” the Vatican says.

Pope Francis is resting comfortably at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital this morning as he continues treatment for bilateral pneumonia. The Holy See Press Office reports that the 88-year-old pontiff had a quiet night.

“The night passed quietly; the pope is resting,” reads this morning’s brief statement.

The pope’s clinical condition remains stable as he receives ongoing care. Medical staff continue to describe his prognosis as “guarded.”

Vatican officials report that Francis is dividing his time between prayer, rest, and work while continuing his respiratory physiotherapy treatments.

Medical teams provide the pope with high-flow oxygen through nasal cannulas during the day. At night, he switches to noninvasive mechanical ventilation to support his breathing.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, will lead a holy rosary for Pope Francis later today. The prayer service will gather the faithful to offer prayers for the pope’s swift recovery.

A more detailed medical update on the pope’s condition is expected this evening.

Vatican sources said Pope Francis’ condition remained stable Friday, as doctors indicated the next medical bulletin would be delivered Saturday.

After a heartfelt audio message from the pope was played in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday evening, Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni explained it was Francis’ desire to record and play the greeting to thank everyone who is praying for him. He said the pope feels like he is being carried by the many prayers.

Pope Francis spent a quiet night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and woke up shortly after 8 a.m., the Holy See Press Office says in a brief update on Friday, marking three weeks since the Holy Father was hospitalized.

Tonight’s evening rosary for the pope will be led by Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, at 9 p.m. Rome time in St. Peter’s Square.

In a prerecorded message, Pope Francis thanked those gathered for the rosary prayer service in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday night.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the square; I accompany you from here,” the Holy Father said in Spanish. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.” 

The Holy Father’s voice was hoarse, and he was noticeably out of breath in the brief audio message, which the Holy See Press Office said was recorded today. 

The Vatican confirms on Thursday evening that Pope Francis’ health remains stable, with no significant changes compared with previous days. 

The Holy Father has not experienced any further episodes of respiratory insufficiency and continues to undergo respiratory and motor physiotherapy. His blood flow parameters and blood test results remain stable, and he has not had a fever. However, doctors are still keeping the prognosis reserved.

Given the pope’s stable condition, the Vatican announces that the next official medical update will be released on Saturday. In the meantime, Pope Francis has maintained a balanced routine, engaging in some work activities throughout the morning and afternoon while also taking time for rest and prayer. Before lunch, the Holy Father received the Eucharist.

Friday marks three weeks since Pope Francis was first admitted to Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican has not provided an indication of when he could be released from the hospital.

Pope Francis has spent another restful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he continues treatment for bilateral pneumonia, the Holy See Press Office announces Thursday morning.

“The night passed quietly; the pope is still resting,” the Holy See Press Office tells journalists.

The pope is receiving a number of treatments, sources say, including active motor physiotherapy and high-flow oxygen therapy.

The daily rosary for Pope Francis’ health will again be prayed tonight at 9 p.m. in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, will preside over the prayer service.

Pope Francis participated in the rite of the blessing of ashes for Ash Wednesday from his hospital room on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican says Wednesday evening local time.

On his 20th day in the hospital, Pope Francis also received the Eucharist, did respiratory and physical therapy, called the Catholic parish in Gaza, worked, and rested, according to the Holy See Press Office.

His condition remained stable.

Pope Francis has a restful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he receives treatment for bilateral pneumonia, according to a Wednesday morning update from the Holy See Press Office.

“The pope rested well overnight and woke up shortly after 8 a.m. this morning,” the Vatican states.

The pontiff’s persistent pneumonia poses challenges as he continues respiratory therapy and high-flow oxygen treatment. Vatican officials report that while the pope’s situation appears stable, his overall clinical condition “remains complex.”

As previously announced, the Holy Father resumes noninvasive mechanical ventilation overnight as planned. Despite the continuing treatment, doctors note that the pope’s vital signs, including heart, kidney, and blood values, remain stable.

Due to Pope Francis’ hospitalization, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the major penitentiary, will preside over the Ash Wednesday liturgy at Rome’s Basilica of Santa Sabina. The traditional “stational” service at Sant’Anselmo on the Aventine Hill, followed by the penitential procession, will begin at 4:30 p.m.

The holy rosary prayer for the pope’s health will be led by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, at 9 p.m. in St. Peter’s Square.

Vatican medical bulletins provide daily updates on the pope’s condition since his admission to Gemelli Hospital. Tuesday evening’s update noted that the pope remained “alert, cooperative with therapies, and oriented” throughout the day, alternating between periods of prayer and rest.

Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, leads the rosary in St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday evening at 9 p.m.

Pope Francis’ health remains stable as he continues treatment for respiratory issues, the Vatican says in a statement on Tuesday evening.

The 88-year-old pope did not experience any further episodes of respiratory insufficiency or bronchospasm today and remained alert and cooperative with his medical care.

Doctors transitioned the pope to high-flow oxygen therapy, a treatment designed to support his breathing, and he has also undergone respiratory physiotherapy to aid his recovery.

As part of his ongoing care, “noninvasive mechanical ventilation” is scheduled to resume overnight and continue until Wednesday morning.

While his prognosis remains reserved, the Vatican says that Pope Francis has been able to alternate between prayer and rest throughout the day. He received the Eucharist on Tuesday morning.

Pope Francis “slept through the night” and is now resting following his earlier episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency, the Vatican said Tuesday morning.

According to the Holy See Press Office, Pope Francis is still receiving high-flow oxygen through nasal cannulas.

The 88-year-old pontiff experienced breathing difficulties Monday due to a “significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and subsequent bronchospasm,” which caused a narrowing of the bronchial tubes.

The pope underwent two bronchoscopies “with the need for aspiration of copious secretions,” the Vatican statement said. Doctors for a while resumed noninvasive mechanical ventilation to assist with his breathing on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Vatican prayer vigil for the pope’s recovery continues.

Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, will lead the rosary in St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday evening at 9 p.m.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, is joined Monday evening by hundreds of faithful in prayer as he leads the eighth rosary for Pope Francis’ recovery in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

Pope Francis on Monday underwent two bronchoscopies after he had “two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency,” the Holy See Press Office says in an evening statement.

The episodes were caused by “significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and subsequent bronchospasm,” the statement says.

The bronchoscopies “were performed with the need for aspiration of copious secretions” and “noninvasive mechanical ventilation was resumed in the afternoon.”

His prognosis “remains reserved.”

The statement notes that the pope “remained alert, oriented, and cooperative at all times.”

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, will lead the recitation of the holy rosary for Pope Francis’ health this evening at 9 p.m. in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announces.

The prayer gathering comes as the Holy Father continues to receive treatment after Vatican officials described his condition as “stable” but “complex” on Sunday. The most recent update Monday morning indicated the pope “rested well throughout the night.”

The Holy See Press Office issues a brief statement on Monday morning Rome time, confirming that “the pope rested well throughout the night.”

This update follows Sunday’s news that described Pope Francis’ condition as “stable” but still “complex” as he receives treatment. The pontiff has been receiving oxygen therapy but has not required mechanical ventilation.

Recovery for the 88-year-old Holy Father “will certainly not be imminent,” Vatican officials caution later in the morning.

Medical staff continue to monitor the Holy Father’s condition closely.

Pope Francis has not required mechanical ventilation as he continues to receive treatment for a “complex” medical situation, the Holy See Press Office tells journalists on Sunday evening.

“The clinical conditions of the Holy Father have remained stable throughout today; the pope has not required non-invasive mechanical ventilation, but only oxygen therapy with high flow,” the statement says, adding that the pontiff is without fever.

The Vatican also confirms that Pope Francis participated in Holy Mass in the hospital chapel on Sunday morning, then alternated between rest and prayer throughout the day. He also met officials after his morning coffee.

Vatican sources indicate the situation is more stable now, with the Sunday evening medical bulletin showing no direct consequences from Friday’s health crisis.

However, officials cautioned that “it remains a complex situation with risk of criticality.”

Faithful and members of religious orders from around the world continue to gather in front of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, holding “marathon” prayer vigils for Pope Francis after his more than two-week hospitalization.

Pope Francis continues his treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he met this morning with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra from the Vatican Secretariat of State.

In a message released with today’s Angelus text, the pontiff expresses profound gratitude for the prayers of the faithful worldwide, saying he feels “carried and supported by all God’s people.”

Vatican sources report the pope had a restful night, followed by his morning routine of coffee and reading newspapers while continuing his prescribed treatments.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, will lead the rosary for the pope’s health tonight at 9 p.m. in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis continues to rest Sunday as he recovers from a respiratory illness, with Vatican officials reporting his condition remains stable following Friday’s bronchospasm episode.

“The night was tranquil, the pope is still resting,” the Holy See Press Office confirmed in a Sunday morning update.

The 88-year-old pontiff receives respiratory treatments at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, alternating between ventilation and oxygen therapy. According to the Vatican press office, the Holy Father shows no signs of infection and remains fever-free, with stable vital signs.

In a pastoral gesture that reflects concern for the pontiff’s health, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, papal almoner, will lead the recitation of the holy rosary this evening at 9 p.m. in St. Peter’s Square for the pope’s recovery.

Meanwhile, health care workers from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where the pope is receiving treatment, made their own pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, braving rain to pray for the pontiff and renew their commitment to care.

Due to his condition, today’s Angelus will be distributed in written form rather than delivered in person.

Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, leads the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica at 9 p.m. local time.