Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown made an earnest appeal to the faithful on Friday, urging them to include Pope Francis in their prayers, particularly for his health.
The 86-year-old pontiff was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday, nine days after he underwent abdominal hernia operation.
“Please pray for him, pray for God’s blessings on him,” Brown said in his homily at a Mass on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Makati City.
“He knows that the Philippines is a powerhouse of prayer,” the nuncio added.
It was the second time that the Holy Father, who became pope 10 years ago, had been hospitalized in around two months.
In March, he was hospitalized for three days for treatment of bronchitis. He also spent 10 days at Gemelli in July 2021 for his prior intestinal surgery.
Since early 2022, Pope Francis has also been battling knee problems, forcing him to use a cane and a wheelchair.
Due to his recent surgery and as a precaution, the pope’s audiences were suspended through June 18.
The pope has scheduled trips to Portugal for the World Youth Day from August 2 to 6, and to Mongolia from August 31 to September 4.
