As the Lenten season commences, Catholics in Philadelphia are keeping Pope Francis at the forefront of their prayers amid his ongoing battle with double pneumonia. With his absence noticeably felt during Ash Wednesday services, Archbishop Borys Gudziak urged the community to pray for the pontiff's swift recovery. "In these critical days for the Holy Father, I pray for him and ask other people to pray for the pope," Gudziak said in a statement obtained by CBS News Philadelphia.
The ailing Pope, who has been receiving treatment at a hospital for the past three weeks, remains alert and is resting after what has been described as a peaceful night. Current treatments include a combination of high-flow oxygen, physical, and respiratory therapies, as detailed by the Vatican. Despite two respiratory crises earlier in the week, his condition is currently stable. "The pope on Wednesday marked the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead and by calling the parish priest in Gaza," reported NBC Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez spoke during local services, acknowledging the Pope's health struggle, "Our Holy Father Pope Francis continues to struggle with his health, so we keep him present in our hearts today." As the Vatican conveyed the pope's routine of alternating between work and rest, Francis even managed to offer a call to Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest in Gaza, according to 6abc.
In lieu of the Pope's usual presence, Lenten observances throughout Philadelphia featured special prayers and messages for his recovery. Joe Rose, a parishioner from Newtown Square, expressed a commonly held sentiment, "We certainly believe in miracles and we are certainly praying for him." As the Vatican stated, Francis has been transitioning to receiving high-flow oxygen with a nasal tube. The Philadelphia community remains steadfast in their support during this sacred period of reflection and renewal.
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