Pope Francis releases statement, Chicago Catholics pray for his health

CHICAGO — In its latest update Sunday morning, the Vatican says Pope Francis is conscious but still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen.

Meanwhile, Catholics around the world will continue their prayers during Sunday Mass, already underway or about to get underway — including at Holy Name Cathedral on the Near North Side, the seat of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Pope Francis released a statement on his X feed Sunday morning, thanking people around the world for their prayers.

“I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children,” Pope Francis said. “Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!”

The Saturday evening Mass at Holy Name Cathedral turned solemn, as the Pope’s health was top of mind and parishioners joined the Archdiocese in a petition prayer for him.

The Pope, who turned 88 years old in December, has been in the hospital over a week with pneumonia. On Saturday, the Vatican said he was in critical condition after suffering an “asthmatic respiratory crisis” while being treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection.

Many Chicagoans said they’re praying for the Pope and hoping he gets well soon, including parishioners and visitors heading to Saturday evening Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. They said this is a time to come together and lean on their faith.

“We prayed for him, and for his health, and for God’s will to be done over him,” visitor Claudia Gibson said.

“We’re all praying for our Pope, our beloved Pope,” parishioner Laurie Oken said. “He’s a fighter. My friend and I were texting (Saturday) morning and (Friday), and of course he’s going to come through this with a winning battle.”

Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago, issued the following statement Saturday on the Pope’s condition:

“We have received word that the Pope’s condition worsened this morning. Please continue your prayers for his recovery and for the health care professionals working to lead him through this setback. We ask our Merciful Lord to restore Pope Francis to good health and to keep him free from pain as he receives treatment.”

Pope Francis has been the head of the Catholic Church since 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI resigned. Despite growing concerns about his health, people close to Pope Francis say he has no plans to resign.

“I don’t think I’ve seen a more unique person in the chair,” Michael Murphy, who works in the theology department at Loyola University Chicago and has worked with Pope Francis in the past, told WGN in a Zoom interview.

“Even though I love John Paul II and Benedict, the Holy Spirt gives us each for the Holy Spirit’s reasons. Pope Francis is a rare one.”

Doctors say Pope Francis’s condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease. Due to his illness, he was absent this week for Holy Year celebrations at the Vatican, attended by Catholics around the world.

Catholics say this is a time to come together and pray as one.

“It was beautiful,” Cristina De Mosteyrin, visiting Holy Name Cathedral for Saturday evening Mass, said. “… We’ve been praying together as a community.”