Catholic community in Utah ‘united in prayer’ for the health of Pope Francis

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Pope Francis remained in critical condition on Monday, after originally being hospitalized on Feb. 14.

The pope showed some slight improvements in recent tests, and as he continues to recover, members of the Catholic faith around the world — including in Utah — continue to pray for his health.

“Being united in prayer is something that we do very well,” Father John Evans, Vicar General for the Diocese of Salt Lake City, told ABC4.com.

Evans said that while prayers are a personal thing, people can pray for the health, comfort, and recovery of the pope, as well as for the healthcare workers who are assisting him during this time.

“We’re at such a distance, it’s hard to give other types of support in a physical way,” Evans said. “But certainly through prayer, we’ve been doing our best there.”

Evans continued on to say that the Catholics in the Utah community are optimistic regarding the pope’s recovery.

“With the concern that everybody has, we want to certainly pray for the good of all aspects in the church,” Evans said.

Pope Francis, 88, continues to battle pneumonia in both lungs at the Gemelli hospital in Rome. The Associated Press has reported that doctors said the pope’s condition is impacted by his age, fragility, and pre-existing lung disease.

On Sunday, a slight kidney insufficiency was detected, but was not causing alarm as of Monday. Also on Monday, officials said Pope Francis hadn’t had other respiratory crises since Saturday.

“The Catholics in the community have been praying for him, and obviously some have greater concern, but we’re optimistic and we’re hopeful that he’ll recover and do well,” Father Evans told ABC4.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.