Pope Francis, currently receiving treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, expressed his profound gratitude on Sunday, March 2, for the many prayers and messages of support he has received during his hospitalization. In a statement shared by the Vatican, the 88-year-old pontiff also offered his own prayers for those suffering around the world.
According to Vatican sources, the pope met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, in his hospital room the morning of March 2. Cardinal Parolin was accompanied by Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the substitute for general affairs of the Secretariat of State. The visit came after a restful night for the pope, who reportedly “slept well.” He woke up Sunday morning to enjoy a cup of coffee, read the newspapers, and continue with his prescribed treatments.
In a touching message released by the Vatican’s press office, Pope Francis shared: “I would like to thank you for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world.” He added, “I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people.”
For the third consecutive time, Pope Francis was unable to deliver the Angelus prayer publicly due to his ongoing health struggles. However, his message for the prayer reflected his deep trust in God and his own personal reflections on the day’s Gospel reading from Luke 6:39-45. The pontiff emphasized the need for fraternal correction rooted in charity, urging followers to remove the “wooden beam from your eye” before addressing the “splinter in your brother’s eye.”
In his reflection, Pope Francis expressed the unique blessings that arise during times of suffering. He wrote: “I feel in my heart the ‘blessing’ that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord.” The pope also thanked God for the opportunity to share, in both body and spirit, the condition of those who are sick and suffering around the world.
The pope’s thoughts also extended to areas of conflict, as he prayed for peace in regions suffering from war and violence. He said, “I pray for you too. And I pray above all for peace. From here, war appears even more absurd. Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and Kivu.”
The Vatican is expected to release a medical update on Pope Francis’ condition later on Sunday evening. To further support the pontiff, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, will lead a rosary for the pope’s health at 9 p.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square.
As Pope Francis continues his recovery, his words of gratitude, prayer for peace, and reflections on faith in times of fragility offer comfort and hope to the faithful around the world.
