The Church in Europe joins prayer for Pope Francis

Numerous leaders of the Catholic Church in Europe have joined in prayer for the prompt recovery of Pope Francis, admitted to the Gemelli Hospital with bilateral pneumonia for a week.

From the episcopal conferences, as well as through social networks, cardinals and bishops have expressed their proximity to the pontiff from the old continent.

Prayers from Austria

The Archbishop of Salzburg, Mons. Franz Lackner, president of the Austrian Episcopal Conference, lamented in the social network Bluesky The “very serious diagnosis” of the Holy Father, although he stressed that he maintains “the good spirit.”

For his part, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop Emeritus of Vienna (Austria), remarked in the same social network that Pope Francis has “tirelessly” repeated to the faithful who pray for him.

“I am sure that many people have responded to this request. It is not just a pious phrase for the Pope. These days, you need our prayers more urgently than ever. Let’s pray for him, ”wrote the purple.

The Archdiocese of Vienna, which currently directs the apostolic administrator Josef Grünwidl, said that “we honor the request of Pope Francis and pray for his prompt recovery.”

The closeness of the Church in Italy

The Italian Episcopal Conference renewed the proximity of the Churches of Italy to Pope Francis. “Trusting the Lord the work of doctors and health personnel, we hugged the Holy Father with affection, inviting ecclesial communities to sustain him with prayer in this moment of suffering,” they said in a communication.

The president of the Italian bishops, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, expressed in statements to the Italian press His concern about the delicate health of the Holy Father, although he claimed to be convinced of his recovery.

Swiss bishops, united in prayer

Likewise, the Swiss Episcopal Conference affirmed in a message to ACI Prensa that the “bishops and the entire Catholic Church in Switzerland are united in prayer for the Pope and their prompt recovery with the rest of the world.”

Affectionate and close affection from Finland

From Helsinki, the Obispo Raimo Goyarrola He also pointed out in conversation with ACI Press that “the Church in Finland elevates with confidence and insistence our prayers to God Our Lord, asking for his prompt and total recovery.”

“We entrust ourselves to the intercession of our mother, health of the sick, and since Finland we send him our most affectionate and sincere affection,” added the Spanish prelate.

Special request for the Pope from Spain

The Spanish Episcopal Conference has called the faithful to join in prayer for the prompt recovery of Pope Francis. It has been proposed that a special request for the health of the Holy Father is included in the next Eucharist.

In addition, the Episcopal Conference invited all believers, including those of other confessions, to join this intention.