Pope Francis laments from the hospital not to participate in Jubileo de Artists

Pope Francis has spent his second night at the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome, where he remains admitted since Friday due to a respiratory road infection. To facilitate his recovery, he has not presided over the prayer of the Angelus, although he has prepared a text that has been published by the Vatican Press Office.

The 88 -year -old pontiff wanted to join the Marian prayer spiritually and direct a special message to the faithful, expressing his gratitude and asking for prayers for peace in the world.

In his message, the Eucharist recalled, held in his name the prefect of the Dicastering per culture and education, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, in the Basilica of San Pedro on the occasion of the jubilee of the artists.

“I thank Dicasterio for culture and education for preparing this event, which reminds us of the importance of art as a universal language that disseminates beauty and unites peoples, contributing to bring harmony to the world and to silence all the screams of war” , he said.

Pope Francis regretted below not being present in the celebration for his health problems.

“I would have liked to be among you, but, as you know, I am here at the Gemelli hospital because I still need treatment for my bronchitis,” he explained.

During his message, Pope Francis gave special greeting to pilgrims around the world present in Rome.

He also made a strong call to prayer for peace in the regions affected by conflicts, mentioning in particular Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Middle East, Myanmar, Kivu and Sudan.

The Holy Father also took the opportunity to thank the love and prayers of the faithful in these hospitalization days, as well as the work of the health personnel that attends it. “I want to thank the doctors and health personnel for this hospital for their care: they do such a beautiful and exhausting job, let’s support them with prayer!” He said.

Finally, he entrusted to all of the Virgin Mary, “full of grace”, asking for her help to be “singers and creators of beauty that saves the world.”

The Vatican Press Office has not updated at the moment the medical part of the Pontiff, 88, but some Italian media, such as Public Television Rai and the Ansa agency, reported that another calm night spent, citing sources from the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital of Rome.

Like Friday night, Pope Francis “rested all night” and “did not present febrile episodes.”

In a statement, the Vatican explained on Saturday afternoon that “to facilitate his recovery” the medical staff had prescribed absolute rest. In fact, the commitments of his agenda have been canceled until Monday, February 17, when he planned to visit Cinecittà film studios in Rome.

The Pope suffers persistent bronchitis that in recent days had made it difficult to read some speeches and finally led to his hospitalization to perform diagnostic exams and continue his treatment.

At the beginning of February, the Pope mentioned that he suffered a “strong cold,” as he said during the general hearing on Wednesday, February 5. In the following days, he maintained his audiences in his residence of the Santa Marta house to avoid transfers to the Pontifical Palace, due to the worsening of the disease, according to the Vatican.

This is the fourth time that Pope Francis must be hospitalized in the Gemelli. In the past, he has suffered respiratory problems and flu episodes that led him to remain admitted for three days in March 2023. In November of the same year, these problems also forced him to cancel his trip to Dubai for COP28.