The Vatican No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will lead the first prayer Monday. Francis, who has double pneumonia and is in the early stages of kidney insufficiency, was awake and in good spirits Monday.

The Vatican announced an evening rosary for the Holy Father's health, starting Monday, in St. Peter's Square. The Holy See press office released a statement announcing that starting this evening, cardinals residing in Rome will gather in St.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State during a rosary prayer service held for the health of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square at The Vatican, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025.

The U.S. bishops urged the faithful to join in on a call from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to pray the rosary for Pope Francis Feb. 24 as he remains hospitalized. The Vatican press office said Cardinal Parolin will lead a rosary for the pontiff in St.

The U.S. bishops urged the faithful to join in on a call from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to pray the rosary for Pope Francis Feb. 24 as he remains hospitalized.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, will lead a public recitation of the rosary at 9 p.m. Feb. 24 in St. Peter’s Square.

Several Filipinos in Vatican City joined the vigil and prayed the holy rosary at the St. Peter's Basilica on Monday night for the recovery of Pope Francis, whose condition remains critical as he battles pneumonia in both lungs.

Francis is being treated for pneumonia, a complex infection and kidney problems that have left him in critical condition. He did some light work on Monday.

Catholic cardinals gathered in Rome will offer a nightly rosary for Pope Francis as the pontiff remains hospitalized in critical condition with a respiratory infection.

The Vatican press office said Cardinal Parolin will lead a rosary for the pontiff in St. Peter's Square at 9 p.m. local time. The U.S. bishops urged Catholics to join that prayer at the same time, 3 p.m. on the East Coast.

The wet black cobblestones shone from the bright lights illuminating the fountains and the front of the square where Pope Francis normally sits for his Wednesday general audiences. An image of Mater Ecclesiae – Mary, Mother of the Church – adorned with greenery and white and pink flowers took center stage.

Pope Francis is still critically ill as he battles double pneumonia, but his condition has shown a "slight improvement", the Vatican said on Monday.