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.

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 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.

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 Pope was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Feb. 14 after struggling for several days with bronchitis. Over the weekend the Vatican said the Holy Father had suffered a respiratory crisis and required a blood transfusion, with the Holy See on Sunday evening stating that Francis’ condition was “critical.”

Pope Francis' doctors "are prudently maintaining their cautious prognosis" as the pontiff's condition of respiratory and kidney issues "despite its severity has shown a slight improvement" at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

Pope Francis has shown a slight improvement in laboratory tests and has resumed some work including calling parish in Gaza which he has reportedly kept in touch with since the war broke out in the Middle East.

The Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, but not when he is sick

Pope Francis spends “a peaceful night” at Rome‘s Gemelli Hospital and has breakfast while sitting in an armchair on Thursday morning, the Vatican tells journalists on Feb. 20.