Filipinos asked to pray for Pope Francis’s speedy recovery

Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown on Thursday asked Filipinos to pray for the speedy recovery and good health of Pope Francis who was diagnosed with a respiratory infection.

Brown expressed hope that the Pope’s condition is “nothing too serious,” encouraging Filipinos to pray for his good health and speedy recovery.

“I want to ask each and everyone of you to pray in a very special way during this Holy Week for Pope Francis. I just received word that he has been taken to the hospital,” the Papal Nuncio said in a video message released by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

“God willing, it’s nothing too serious but we need to pray for Pope Francis. I asked you please, during this special time, to pray for his good health and his speedy recovery. May God bless you,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Pontificio Collegio Filippino (PCF) in Rome also asked the faithful to pray for the pontiff’s good health.

PCF Rector Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston said that the Pope will appreciate the love and prayers of Filipino devotees for him.

“He thanks us all for our prayers and closeness with him in spirit,” he said in a statement.

The Vatican announced that Pope Francis was admitted to a hospital in Rome on Wednesday with a respiratory infection which will require a stay of a few days.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pontiff has complained of some breathing difficulties in recent days.

The Pope, who this month marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church, had earlier appeared in good spirits at his weekly audience at the Vatican, smiling as he greeted the faithful from his “popemobile".

The Argentine pontiff suffers from chronic knee pain that has forced him to rely on a wheelchair in recent months.

The Gemelli was the same hospital where he underwent an operation on his colon in July 2021 after suffering from a type of diverticulitis, an inflammation of pockets that develop in the lining of the intestine.

He remained in hospital for 10 days. A year later he admitted he was still feeling the effects of six hours spent under anesthetic during the surgery.

According to the CBCP, the Pope is due to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend, the start of Holy Week ceremonies, including Good Friday and culminating with Easter Sunday on April 9.—Richa Noriega/AOL, GMA Integrated News