VATICAN CITY, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Pope Francis, who is currently hospitalized for double pneumonia, will not be able to lead his regular Sunday prayer with pilgrims for a second consecutive week, the Vatican announced.
Since February 14, Francis has been receiving treatment at Rome's Gemelli hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties for several days. His medical team updated reporters on Friday, stating that although he remains in a critical condition, his current health issue is not life-threatening.
The Vatican released a brief statement on Saturday, noting that the pope had "rested well" overnight. However, unlike the past two days, there was no mention of whether he had risen or had breakfast.
The Holy See press office later confirmed that the text of the Sunday Angelus prayer would be published instead of being delivered by the pope.
This marks the first instance of Pope Francis missing two consecutive Angelus prayers due to health concerns. Following intestinal surgery in 2021, he led the Angelus just a week later and only skipped one public Sunday prayer in 2023 after another procedure.
To respect his privacy, the Vatican has refrained from sharing any photos of the 88-year-old pontiff since his hospitalization earlier this month.
Double pneumonia is a severe infection that can affect both lungs, causing breathing difficulties. The Vatican described the pope's condition as "complex," attributing it to multiple microorganisms.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri, a senior member of the Gemelli hospital staff, informed reporters on Friday that there is still a risk of the infection spreading to his bloodstream and developing into sepsis, potentially posing significant challenges given his age and respiratory condition.
Pope Francis, who has served as pontiff since 2013, has faced various health issues over the years. His susceptibility to lung infections stems from his history of pleurisy during his youth, which led to the partial removal of one lung.
Concerns regarding his health have prompted speculation about a potential resignation by at least one cardinal. However, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state often referred to as the deputy pope, dismissed such conjecture as "unfounded."
"Our current focus is entirely on the Holy Father's well-being, his recovery, and his eventual return to the Vatican. These are the only considerations that matter," Parolin emphasized in an interview with Corriere della Sera.