Rome, 19 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Catholic leaders called upon the faithful to pray for Pope Francis in Italy and his native Argentina on Wednesday, after the 88-year-old pontiff was diagnosed Thursday with bilateral pneumonia. The head of the Roman Catholic Church has been receiving medical care in hospital since Friday, when he was admitted for bronchitis. The cause of the bronchitis was not disclosed.

"As we entrust the work of doctors and medical staff to the Lord, we embrace the Holy Father with affection," Italian bishops wrote in a statement, adding that all church communities in Italy were invited to support him "in this moment of suffering in prayer."

The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, José Ignacio García Cuerva, offered to hold special masses on Wednesday. "In this way, we express our love for Pope Francis and ask God to strengthen him in his health and support him in the exercise of the office entrusted to him," he said in a letter dated Monday.

Prior to his hospitalization, on Friday morning, Pope Francis had received Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico for a private audience, during which he reportedly seemed breathless and was coughing.

On Tuesday, Francis was diagnosed with the onset of double pneumonia, meaning both his lungs are inflamed, a Vatican statement said, adding that his condition remained complex.

Due to the persistent respiratory infection, the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide has been in Rome's Gemelli Hospital since Friday.

He was visited there on Wednesday by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. She wished him a speedy recovery on behalf of her government and all of Italy, according to a statement.

Meloni said Francis was awake and alert.

The right-wing politician has met the pope on several occasions since she took office in October 2022.

"As always, we joked. He hasn't lost his proverbial sense of humor," Meloni said from her official residence in Rome following their meeting at the clinic. The duration of their encounter was not made public.

The influential patriarch of Venice, Francesco Moraglia, urged the faithful of his diocese to pray for the pope "at every opportunity."

Referring to his health condition, Moraglia spoke of a "delicate situation." He stressed that Francis must feel the "closeness" of the faithful right now.

Francis has expressed his gratitude in writing from the hospital for all the prayers and good wishes he had received for his recovery.

The Vatican said on Wednesday morning that the pope had a good night's sleep in hospital and ate breakfast as usual and that he remained "in good spirits."

Francis is staying in a special 10th-floor wing of the Gemelli Hospital that is reserved for popes.

Journalists, camera crews and supporters gathered outside the hospital as Catholics around the world await updates on Francis' health.

An elderly woman, Marianna, said she was praying for the pope's recovery. "The pope is strong. He will surely make it," she told dpa.

Francis is now the second-oldest pope in history. As the successor to Benedict XVI, he has been in office since March 2013. Before that, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as Francis is known in civil life, was the archbishop of Buenos Aires.

On Wednesday evening, the Vatican said that Pope Francis' condition was "stable" despite his pneumonia diagnosis.

The blood tests evaluated by the pope's medical team showed a "slight improvement," especially in terms of inflammation, a spokesman for the Holy See said.

The pontiff's health has been in decline for some time. He has long endured respiratory challenges. Part of his right lung has been missing since his youth, and he has been known to suffer from bouts of influenza.

Pneumonia can be life-threatening, especially in old age.