Cardinals gather at St Peter’s to lead Church in evening rosary for Pope

ROME – The Vatican has announced an evening rosary for the Pope’s recovery, starting Monday, in St. Peter’s Square.

The Holy See Press Office released a statement announcing that “starting this evening, the Cardinals residing in Rome, along with all collaborators of the Roman Curia and the Diocese of Rome, responding to the sentiments of the people of God, will gather in St. Peter’s Square at 9pm to recite the Holy Rosary for the health of the Holy Father”.

“Today’s prayer,” it noted, “will be led by His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.”

There has been a tremendous outpouring of prayer for Pope Francis’ recovery from around the world, and in the Holy Father’s Angelus address, which he chose to have published and distributed on Sunday, he thanked everyone for their prayers for him.

On Sunday afternoon, the Vicar General of Rome, Cardinal Baldassare Reina, celebrated a special Mass for the Pope’s recovery at the Papal Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome, and the President of Italy’s Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, later that evening, led a rosary at the Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna for the same intention.

The prayer service in St Peter’s Square will be broadcast live on Vatican News’ website and social media channels.

In 2005, Pope St John Paul II died while a rosary was being prayed for him in St Peter’s Square, led by Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, who at the time served as the sostituto, or substitute, of the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, a position akin to a chief of staff.

On that occasion, the rosary also began at 9pm local time, and St John Paul II died at 9.47pm, with Cardinal Sandri making the announcement publicly to those gathered in the square.

A medical bulletin published by the Vatican Sunday night said Pope Francis remained in “critical” condition after suffering “prolonged respiratory crisis” on Saturday, as well as an anaemia that improved after he received two units of concentrated red blood cells.

The Pope continues to suffer from thrombocytopenia, in which his blood platelet count is low, and continues to receive oxygen through his nose.

On Sunday doctors said he was also suffering from “initial, mild” signs of kidney failure, leading to concerns he could develop sepsis due to the nature of his complex infection he is fighting, and the large dose of medications he is receiving.

However, doctors said that the condition of his kidneys, for the time being, was “under control”.

In a statement today the Vatican said Pope Francis “had a calm night,” that he slept well “and was resting” but his prognosis remains unclear.

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital Feb. 14 for treatment of bronchitis and was later diagnosed with a polymicrobial respiratory infection with viral, bacterial and fungal elements, and he subsequently developed pneumonia in both lungs.

Doctors have said that the 88-year-old Pontiff remains alert and aware, and is in “good humour” in spite of the severity of his condition.

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

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