World Praying for Pope Francis 

By: Andreas Thonhauser 

May Mary Mother of God intervene for the Holy Father. 

“For 2000 years the Christian people have prayed for the Pope, we entrust him to the powerful intercession of the Most Holy Mary, may she, our caring Mother, sustain him in this time of illness and trial and help him to recover his health soon,” the words of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, as he began the Rosary Initiative praying for the health of Pope Francis. 

Thousands gathered this week in St. Peter’s Square to join the cardinals resident in Rome in their Rosary for Pope Francis. 

While the Holy Father received treatment for his severe pneumonia at the Vatican-owned Gemelli Clinic in Rome, the faithful recited the Joyful Mysteries. The Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin, led the people in prayer. 

Many had come despite the very short notice. The Vatican decided only around noon to pray the Rosary in St. Peter’s Square. 

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung Sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, noted, “The pope is for all of us, so who can come, let’s pray together. Right now, I received an SMS from [South] Korea where the time zone is 8 hours [ahead of the Vatican], and he is praying. He is praying with us at 5 am; they pray with us, together, for the Pope, for his intentions and for the peace in the world.” 

Mariana Ibañez, present for the recitation of the rosary, highlighted “Well, I think it's a public manifestation of the love we have in the Holy Father, the respect that we have for all he does for us and the whole body of the church wherever they are, whether in Rome or connected, (they) can pray and unite ourselves in praying for his health and for his ministry.” 

Franciscan Friar Francesco Celestino added, “It is important to be close to Pope Francis, to pray for his health because we feel him close, we want him with us. He always guides us and he is always in our thoughts. So, our prayer tonight wants to be a prayer of the heart, to Mary that intercedes to the Lord and brings him (Pope Francis) between us.” 

Those praying the Rosary in front of St. Peter’s were not the only ones who thought of Pope Francis in the last couple of days. 

World leaders also sent their best wishes to the Gemelli Clinic, while the Italian head of state was one of the first to visit. 

In the hospital itself, staff and faithful have been offering up the celebration of the Holy Eucharist for Pope Francis every day. 

The Holy Father has thanked all people for their thoughts and prayers often over the recent days. But certain wishes touched him particularly. Hundreds of school children sent him cards they had drawn and painted themselves. Despite his critical condition, Pope Francis also called the parish priest in Gaza, expressing his closeness and solidarity. 

Adapted by Jacob Stein 

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