Pope Francis shows slight improvements amid North Texas Catholics' continued prayers
Pope Francis shows slight improvements
The latest news from the Vatican about Pope Francis is more positive than it has been in recent days. Meanwhile, Catholics across North Texas and the globe are closely watching his health condition.
DALLAS - The Vatican says Pope Francis remains in critical condition, but lab tests show slight improvements as he battles pneumonia in both lungs.
Doctors also say the 88-year-old's mild kidney issue is under control.
The Vatican says Pope Francis is in good spirits, was not in pain and was not receiving artificial nutrition.
He received the Eucharist in the morning and resumed working in the afternoon from his hospital bed.
Catholics all around the world continue to pray for his full recovery.
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - FEBRUARY 12: (EDITOR NOTE: STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY - NO MERCHANDISING). Pope Francis holds his homily during the weekly General Audience at the Paul VI Hall on February 12, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis reite
What we know:
Monday marks the tenth day that the 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized, battling pneumonia in both lungs.
Pope Francis continues to use supplemental oxygen but with a slightly reduced oxygen flow and concentrations.
The Vatican says the Argentinian pope hasn't had any more respiratory crises since Saturday, but his prognosis remains guarded.
Some 200 people attended a standing-room-only mass held at his hospital in Rome on Monday.
ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 23: Candles with a portrait of Pope Francis are seen outside the Policlinico A. Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized for pneumonia, on February 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. Pope Francis was hospitalized in Rome on Fe
Local perspective:
Here in Dallas, parishioners flocked to a noon mass at Cathedral Guadalupe to pray for Francis' health.
"Definitely praying for him, praying that he feels better and that God will guide him during this time," said parishioner Nolan Parker.
"He's a human, and he has struggles," said parishioner Henry Gardner. "But he's led the faithful well, so we're grateful for his papacy and all the good that he's done."
Pope Francis improves slightly, resumes some work, Vatican says
Pope Francis is still receiving supplemental oxygen, and the Vatican said he received the Eucharist Monday morning and resumed working in the afternoon.
Bishop Michael Olson is head of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth. His 92 parishes preach to more than one million North Texas Catholics.
"For Catholics, it's a time for us to pray for his health, for his recovery, for his freedom from pain," he said.
Bishop Olson has met with Pope Francis several times over the past decade.
"He very much wants to listen. He's very generous with his time," he said. "I think he keeps up with an enormous amount of information and people throughout the world."
Olson says Francis' illness is a familiar pain to many.
"Many people go through the sickness of an elderly parent and accompanying them as they gradually debilitate and pass away," he said. "And so I think it's encouraging for us to know that none of us are alone in this endeavor."
Featured
Biden awards Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Biden is honoring Pope Francis with the highest civilian honor given by a president.
What's next:
Back in Rome, the Vatican announced the start of nighttime prayers for the pope's health in St. Peter's Square and invited Romans and others to join in.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Vatican, the Associated Press and interviews with local Catholics and Bishop Michael Olson.