A Catholic priest in Rome called on the Filipino faithful to pray for the health of Pope Francis who was hospitalized on Wednesday due to respiratory infections.
“Let us pray for Pope Francis as he undergoes treatment at the Gemelli Hospital here in Rome for respiratory infections (not Covid),” said Fr. Greg Gaston, rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome.
“He thanks us all for our prayers and closeness with him in spirit,” the priest said over Church-run Veritas 846.
A Vatican statement said Pope Francis “is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer.”
The pope has been undergoing some medical checkups at one of Rome’s most prominent hospitals since Wednesday afternoon.
Gemelli is the same hospital where Pope Francis was hospitalized in July 2021 when he underwent surgery on his colon for diverticulitis, or inflammation of the intestinal wall.
The pope has also suffered since last year from a problem with his right knee, making it necessary for him to rely on a cane and a wheelchair to move around.
