Pope Francis spent a peaceful second night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he remains under medical care for a respiratory infection, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told journalists yesterday. Source: CNA.
Mr Bruni said the 88-year-old pontiff had breakfast and read several newspapers while continuing his prescribed medical treatments.
Though doctors ordered complete rest, the Pope prepared a special Angelus message focusing on art’s power to unite humanity and included prayers for regions torn by conflict.
“I would have liked to be among you,” Pope Francis wrote in his message, referring to artists gathered at the Vatican for a special Jubilee celebration, “but as you know, I am here at the Gemelli Polyclinic because I still need some treatment for my bronchitis.”
The Pope’s message highlighted the Eucharistic celebration for the Jubilee of Artists on Sunday, part of the wider 2025 Jubilee of Hope.
He thanked the Dicastery for Culture and Education for organising the gathering, emphasising art’s role as a “universal language that spreads beauty and unites peoples.”
Turning to global concerns, the pontiff called for continued prayers for peace in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and all the Middle East, Myanmar, Kivu and Sudan.
The Pope also expressed gratitude to the medical staff at Gemelli Hospital. “They perform invaluable and demanding work; let us support them in prayer,” he wrote.
Francis was hospitalised on Friday following meetings with a number of people, including the prime minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico.
Due to the hospitalisation, the Pope will not attend a planned meeting today with artists at the historic Cinecittà film studios south of Rome.
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Pope Francis spends peaceful second night at hospital, prays for peace at Angelus (CNA)
