Cardinal Tagle leads prayer service in Vatican for Pope Francis' health

As Pope Francis was still in critical condition due to double pneumonia, Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines led a prayer service for him in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Tuesday (Rome time).

Tagle, a senior Vatican official, led the service which was attended by pilgrims and senior Church figures.

The service is being repeated daily this week.

Tagle prayed for the pope's health, and asked that he would experience "the solidarity and closeness of the Christian community".

The Vatican on Tuesday said Pope Francis remains in critical condition for the fourth day running but is stable and has not had any further respiratory crises.

The 88-year-old pope was spending his 12th night at Rome's Gemelli hospital, the longest hospital stay of his papacy.

Pope Francis was brought to the hospital on February 14 for treatment of bronchitis.

He was later on diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

The Vatican said Saturday, Feb. 22, the Pope’s health has deteriorated over the past 24 hours and for the first time described his condition as “critical.”

An ''initial, slight insufficiency" in his kidney function was reported on Sunday, Feb. 23.

On Monday, Feb. 24 (Tuesday, Feb. 25 in PH), the Vatican said Pope Francis is still critically ill but his condition has shown a "slight improvement." He was still receiving oxygen, but at a slightly reduced flow and oxygen percentage.

READ: TIMELINE: Pope Francis’ recent health issues

Cardinal Tagle was previously a bishop of Imus, then became archbishop of Manila.

He is currently the pro-prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization at the Vatican.

In September 2024, Tagle was one of those who accompanied Pope Francis in his apostolic journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. —with a report from Reuters/KG, GMA Integrated News