3 weeks ago
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Daphne Galvez - The Philippine Star
February 21, 2025 | 12:00am
In a circular released yesterday, Advincula said the “Holy Hour for the Healing of Pope Francis” coincides with the eve of the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.
AFP Photo / Alberto Pizzoli
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula has urged the faithful to join the Holy Hour today at 5 p.m. at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros for the healing of Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized due to double pneumonia.
In a circular released yesterday, Advincula said the “Holy Hour for the Healing of Pope Francis” coincides with the eve of the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.
“Parishes and communities are encouraged to gather the faithful for this intention through masses, Holy Hour and other community prayers,” the circular read.
“Let us storm heaven with our supplications. Let us accompany Pope Francis with our loving prayers and entrust him to the Lord’s healing hand as well as his doctors, nurses and medical professionals,” it added.
The archbishop earlier called for community prayers for the pope’s speedy recovery as a response to the appeal of Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, to pray for the pontiff’s health and for the medical professionals taking care of him.
Several bishops in the Philippines, including Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David of Kalookan and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, also urged the public to pray for the pontiff’s recovery.
On Feb. 18, the Vatican said Pope Francis has been diagnosed with early-stage double pneumonia. He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome for bronchitis treatment on Feb. 14.
As of Feb. 19, the Vatican said the pope is in stable condition with blood tests showing slight improvement.
Christened Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis has faced several health issues, including influenza and lung infections in recent years. In his youth, he developed pleurisy, which led to the removal of a part of one lung. In 2021, he underwent colon surgery.
