Pope remarks on ‘blessing’ that comes with ‘frailty’; says ‘war appears even more absurd’ in his current state

Pope Francis gave his Sunday blessing in written form as he remains in the hospital, where the Vatican earlier confirmed he is “still resting following a peaceful night” as he continues his recovery from double pneumonia.

Francis addressed the faithful in the blessing, writing, “I am still sending you these thoughts from the hospital,” where he has been receiving treatment since Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened and turned into a complex pneumonia in both lungs.

“I feel in my heart the ‘blessing’ that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord; at the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people,” the pontiff wrote.

“I would like to thank you for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world: I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people,” Francis continued.

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Francis concluded the blessing by writing that he would pray for the faithful and for peace, adding that in his current condition the wars of the world seemed meaningless.

“From here, war appears even more absurd. Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Kivu,” he wrote.

The Vatican said Saturday that Francis’ medical condition “remained stable with respiratory physiotherapy alternating between non-invasive mechanical ventilation and long periods of supplemental high-flow oxygenation with a good response to gas exchange.” 

He had no fever or signs of elevated white blood cells, which would signal his body was still fighting an infection.

Doctors on Saturday reported that Francis was in stable condition, with no mention of him being critical, and signaled once again continued improvement. Their upbeat assessment came a day after a respiratory crisis that resulted in him being put on noninvasive mechanical ventilation.

Doctors were cautious, however, and kept his prognosis as guarded – meaning he wasn’t out of danger. He was eating and drinking and continued his respiratory physiotherapy, and spent 20 minutes in his private chapel down the hall on Saturday, the Vatican said.

The 88-year-old pope had a “good response” in his gas exchange levels even during the “long periods” he was off the ventilator mask and only using high-flow supplemental oxygen, the Vatican said.

For the third weekend in a row, Francis canceled the appointment to deliver the Angelus prayer at noon on Sunday as he continued his recovery.

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The pope, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has lung disease and was admitted to Gemelli on Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened and turned into a complex pneumonia in both lungs.

Francis’ hospitalization has come as the Vatican is marking its Holy Year, drawing pilgrims to Rome from all over. They are walking through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica and also making pilgrimages to the hilltop Umbrian town of Assisi, to pray at the home of Francis’ namesake, St. Francis.

Francis was supposed to have presided Saturday over a Holy Year audience in the Vatican’s auditorium for the staff of the Gemelli hospital and other healthcare workers. They came as planned and completed the pilgrimage, while Francis continued his recovery at the hospital.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.