Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is leading the Italian Catholic community in prayer for Pope Francis’s health during his recovery from serious health issues, including bilateral pneumonia and respiratory distress. This evening, February 23, at 8 PM, Cardinal Zuppi will preside over the Rosary at the Church of San Domenico in Bologna. The prayer service is being broadcast live on Tv2000 (channel 28) and on streaming platform Play2000.
This event marks the beginning of what is planned as nationwide collaboration for prayer across Italy, as church communities come together to pray for the Pope’s healing. Cardinal Zuppi stated, “We want to embrace the Holy Father—asking the Lord to support him during this time of suffering, so he may find relief and recover as soon as possible.” This call to prayer has intensified over the past few days as the Pope's health had earlier shown alarming signs.
Earlier this week, sources from the Vatican reported concerning updates on Pope Francis's well-being. The Holy Father was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital for significant respiratory complications exacerbated by pneumonia. Although news this morning indicated he had a peaceful night and was resting, the previous day’s prognosis raised serious concerns about the Pope’s health.
“His health has been closely monitored, as he suffered from protracted asthmatic respiratory distress requiring high flow oxygen, alongside complications like thrombocytopenia,” noted the latest medical bulletin from the Vatican’s press office.
The Rosary tonight will not only serve as prayers for the Pope but also as a unifying moment for all Catholic dioceses across Italy, who have been encouraged to join together spiritually during this time. The Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI) has organized this event, reinforcing their commitment to supporting the Pope amid his illness.
“This is our first gathering to renew the affection of the Italian church communities for the Holy Father,” Cardinal Zuppi explained. “We will gather as one voice, calling on the Lord and expressing our solidarity with the Pope,” he emphasized, signifying how deeply the church considers the Pope's wellbeing as collective responsibility.
Throughout Italy, many churches will participate, fostering a community spirit of prayer, as local parishes will also send their messages of support. "A document containing two prayer templates will be made available soon,” added Cardinal Zuppi, “to facilitate continuous prayer across all Catholic parishes in the country.”
The night service at San Domenico is expected to be the first of many prayer sessions aimed at continuous support for Pope Francis. This move to engage the Catholic community at large highlights the importance of collective prayer as part of the response to challenges faced by their leader.
Since reports of the Pope's declining health emerged, messages from various religious leaders and communities worldwide have flooded social media, each echoing sentiments of support and encouragement. "It’s these moments, unsettling as they may be, which often remind us of the strength found within our faith communities," said local pastor Maria Lazzaro.
Alongside the support expressed through prayers and messages, many Italian citizens have also begun to gather for informal local prayer sessions, seeking to uplift the Holy Father’s spirits during this trying time. It’s evident the collective commitment from both church leaders and the laity reflects the Pope’s deep connection with the people.
Local congregations have been heard bolstering their prayer calls, saying things like, “We are with you, Papa Francesco,” reflecting on their core belief ties to the leader of their faith.
On social media, hashtags invoking the Pope's recovery are trending, showing immense outreach and involvement across various demographics. The church's social media outreach team reported seeing engagement spike around prayer rallies and individual congregation efforts, indicating widespread support even beyond the confines of traditional church gatherings.
“The healthy recovery of the Pope is urgently needed for the Church and the faithful,” shared another priest, Angelo Sorel, “and we earnestly call upon God’s mercy and compassion during this trying chapter.”
This evening, as Cardinal Zuppi leads the Rosary, many expect it to be both a solemn and hopeful gathering, celebrating their common faith and the resilience of their ecclesiastical community. The Leonine walls of the Basilica have witnessed many gatherings, but this evening marks distinctively personal prayers for healing.
With eyes both on the evening's prayer and on the Pope's recovery, Catholic communities everywhere resonate with hope, praying not just for their leader, but for all to draw closer together during these moments of trial. The night will be lit by candle flames symbolizing the glimmer of hope each member holds for the beloved pontiff:
May the Lord grant him life, health, and renewed strength so he can continue to spread his message of peace across the globe.