Rome, 23 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) – Pope Francis, currently hospitalized in Rome with double pneumonia, has called on the worldwide Catholic community of 1.4 billion people to pray for him as he continues his recovery.

In a written message shared on Sunday, the 88-year-old pontiff expressed his deep gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received. In particular, he thanked his doctors at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he has been receiving treatment for 10 days. "I sincerely thank the doctors and healthcare workers at this hospital for the attention they are showing me," he said.

He also thanked believers for their support, especially for the letters and drawings from children. "Thank you for this closeness and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world!" he said.

In his message, Francis also called for prayers for victims of armed conflicts worldwide, marking Monday’s “painful and shameful occasion” of the third anniversary of Russia's war against Ukraine, renewing his solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Due to his illness, Pope Francis was unable to deliver the traditional Sunday prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace to the thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter's Square. This has become customary in recent weeks, as he also missed the prayer last week.

The pontiff - now the second oldest pope in history - has had respiratory problems since before Christmas. At the hospital, doctors diagnosed pneumonia that has affected both lungs and have described his condition as "critical." At such an advanced age, pneumonia is considered very dangerous.

According to Vatican sources, following a "prolonged asthma attack" on Saturday, the pope continues to require supplemental oxygen through nasal cannulas. He has also received a blood transfusion to address platelet deficiency associated with anemia.