Pope Francis acknowledges being fragile and “facing a period of trial,” as he thanked well-wishers for prayers in a message from the hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for pneumonia.
The 88-year-old pope, hospitalized since February 14, sent a particularly personal message to the faithful published by the Vatican, as he once again missed delivering the traditional Angelus prayer in person.
“I am sharing these thoughts with you while I am facing a period of trial, and I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: fragile, at this time, like me,” wrote the pope.
“Our bodies are weak but, even like this, nothing can prevent us from loving, praying, giving ourselves, being for each other, in faith, shining signs of hope,” he added.
Sunday was the fifth time the pope’s condition had prevented him from personally giving the Angelus prayer, which he usually delivers to the crowd gathered in St Peter’s Square following mass.
Last week, the Vatican signaled the Argentine pontiff was out of danger after a series of breathing crises earlier in his hospitalization had sparked fears for his life.
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