Pope Francis’ conditions are critical but stationary. “The Pope woke up and the therapies are continuing”Vatican sources explain. The pontiff is on his eleventh day of hospitalization at the Gemelli Polyclinic for a bilateral pneumonia. “It has no pain,” they also reported the same sources, “the mood is good”. Further updates on the health of the Holy Father are expected in the evening with the usual medical bulletin.
Meanwhile, Francesco continues his activity with two new episcopal appointments in Italy. The first is that of the new Bishop of Vittorio Veneto (Treviso), the Paduan Riccardo Battocchio, So far rector of the Almo Collegio Capranica of Rome. The announcement, contained in the Vatican bulletin, was also given to Padua by the bishop, Claudio Cipolla. Battocchio happens to Msgr. Corrado Pizzioloof which the Pope accepted the resignation on 30 December last, and which is currently on a mission in Brazil. “We would have gladly had many positions – commented Cipolla – for Don Riccardo, but we are happy for this appointment, which arrives in very delicate days for the Holy Father. We are sure that the church of Vittorio Veneto receives a precious gift, we willingly greet him leaving for his new assignment, asking in return for a memory in prayer for all of us because we can stay in the will of the father ».
The other appointment of the Pope is the one concerning the Diocese of Trivento (Campobasso) where Monsignor Camillo Vischi arrives, Former bishop of the diocese of Isernia-Venafro, a charge that he maintains because the Pope has decided to combine the two dioceses “in the episcopes”, that is, designating a single shepherd. Bergoglio also appointed the diocese of San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Tenerife (Spain) Eloy Alberto Santiago Santiago and the coadjutor bishop of the diocese of Santos (Brazil) Joaquim Giovani Mol Guimarães.
Meanwhile, prayer initiatives in support of the pontiff multiply. In San Pietro square From Monday evening, and every evening, there will be a moment of prayer. Monday will be chaired by the Secretary of State, the Cardinal Pietro Parolin: “From tonight”, reads a note from the Vatican, “the cardinals residing in Rome, with all the collaborators of the Roman Curia and the diocese of Rome, By collecting the feelings of the people of God, they will collect in St. Peter’s Square, at 9 pm, for the recitation of the Holy Rosary for the health of the Holy Father».
Prayer initiative also to Gemelli Polyclinic where in these days groups of faithful, priests and religious gather spontaneously to pray for Francesco under the statue dedicated to St. John Paul II while the media cameras are focused on the apartment set up on the tenth floor of the hospital where the Pope is spending the his hospitalization.
“The community of the University Polyclinic Agostino Gemelli and of the Roman headquarters of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart”, reads a press release, wishes to express the closeness and support to the Holy Father Francesco in this moment of test and support in an even stronger way suffering. Accepting the invitation of the CEI to intensify prayer, from today Monday 24 February and all the time of the Holy Father’s hospitalization in our Polyclinic, At the San Giovanni Paolo II chapel, located in the hospital hall, in the morning it will take one hour of adoration from 12.00 to 13.00 which will follow the Holy Mass at 13.05. In both moments you will pray in a special way for the Holy Father ». At 16.30 then, with the same intention, the recitation of the Rosary will take place at the statue of San Giovanni Paolo II in the square in front of the Gemelli Polyclinic. The Holy Mass will follow at 5pm which will be celebrated with the same purposes in the Hall chapel. “The Board of Directors of the University Polyclinic Foundation A. Gemelli IRCCS gathered today for an ordinary session with President Dr. Daniele Franco and the magnificent rector of the university, Elena Beccalli, will participate in the Holy Mass at 13.05 which will be chaired by Msgr. Claudio Giuliodori, General ecclesiastical assistant of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and the Italian Catholic Action “, he explains in a press release,” those who can be invited to participate in the moments of prayer indicated and everyone can still join spiritually making the liturgical prayer their own: “Lord Jesus, the Redeemer of the world, who have taken our pains on you and brought our sufferings into your passion, listen to the prayer that we turn to our infirm brother: Give him confidence and revive his hope to be raised in the body and spirit “».
After the Rosary led by the President of the CEI, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Sunday evening in the Bolognese Basilica of San Domenico, the prayer marathon, meanwhile, continues in many Italian dioceses. On Monday evening at 7 pm the archbishop of Cagliari and secretary general of the CEI, Giuseppe Baturi, will lead the Rosary to the Cathedral: “Tonight we will collect in prayer, United we will invoke the Lord for the health of the Holy Father,” said Baturi, “the Pope wants his life to be public, his known fragility. Offer the disease to others unites in a communion of affection. In each hospital I would like there was a hug of love for all people injured or touched by the disease. Life deserves to be lived also in suffering. I also like to remember how important Cagliari has always been for the Pope: it has always told me that the Sardinians have a special force. Let’s use it in tenderness to pray for the Holy Father ». Initiatives also a Termoli and Prato, where the bishop Giovanni Nerbini, He invited all parishes to organize community prayer moments.
