People throughout Latin America have been offering prayers for Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the region, as he is hospitalized in Rome, as reported by the Vatican on Saturday. From Mexico to Argentina, and along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, Catholics have been attending masses, lighting candles, and praying for the Pope's recovery.
Argentine priest Adrian Bennardins expressed, "We ... pray for him with trust in God and pray for his health with joy," lauding Francis for his efforts to make the global Catholic Church more inclusive and compassionate.
Despite a decline in the percentage of Catholics in Latin America from 80% in 1995 to 54% in 2024, many still feel a strong connection to Francis due to shared cultural ties. Grisel Jimenez, reflecting this sentiment, mentioned, “Since he’s a Latino, he speaks our language and he shares the feelings of the Latino community because we come from a similar culture."
With origins as a Jesuit priest in Argentina and later roles as archbishop of Buenos Aires and a cardinal, Pope Francis has particularly touched the lives of many in Argentina, where a nationwide call was made for impoverished neighborhoods to pray collectively for him.
In Brazil, the world's largest Catholic country, Helio Martins Da Silva highlighted the significance of not only worshipping Christ but also praying for the Pope, the Church, and the world as a whole.