Pope Francis in critical condition as nuns sing and pray for his health

As Pope Francis battles life-threatening illness in his hospital bed, nuns, the faithful and tourists congregate just metres away to offer their support.

If he was comfortable enough Pope Francis would be able look outside and see the gatherings of the devout Catholic faithful praying for his health from the papal suite window at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

Over the weekend various groups of singing nuns gathered around the prominent marble statue of one of Francis’ predecessors, Pope John Paul II, in the forecourt of the hospital to send Francis their wishes and prayers as he battles a complex range of illnesses.

Faithful visit St Peter's Square in Rome. Picture: Getty Images

At various times, pilgrims having booked their Roman adventure months in advance to celebrate this year’s Catholic Church Jubilee also made their way to the hospital, located in the north of Rome, and prayed, and lit candles at the base of the statue.

But with nasal breathing tubes providing him with oxygen and having had several blood transfusions to boost his red blood cells, Pope Francis was only able to join the medical staff and his closest aides, and some of the protection team guarding his hospital corridor in a Holy Mass on the 10th floor of his hospital suite on Sunday. Next to his hospital bedroom there is a living area with some beds for his staff, and a small chapel.

This was the second week in a row that the Pope has missed the weekly Angelus prayer. He also had to cancel presiding over s Holy Mass at St Peter’s Square for the Jubilee of Deacons and some ordinations.

The latest update from the Vatican was that the Holy Father, 88, remained in a critical condition but since Saturday evening he has not presented with any further respiratory crises that have punctuated his near two week hospital stay.

His thrombocytopenia remained stable, however some blood tests showed an initial mild renal failure, which is currently under control.

Nuns pray the holy rosary at the statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalised. Picture: AFP

The Vatican said that the Pope continues “to be vigilant and well oriented’’, adding “the complexity of the clinical picture and the necessary wait for pharmacological therapies to provide some feedback, required that the prognosis remains reserved’’.

Several days ago Francis himself believed that he may not survive this latest health scare, but his robustness, despite his inability to walk very far, has surprised many.

He has had lung issues since the 1950s, an operation on his colon in 2013, and both bronchitis and an intestinal hernia in 2023.

A statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli hospital. Picture: AP

Italians have been concerned about Pope Francis’s hospitalisation and many cards and flowers have been sent to the hospital.

Yet others are pragmatic about the Pope’s ongoing health battle.

“He is 88 after all,’’ said my taxi driver, noting “he only has one working lung, so it’s no surprise he is struggling.”

And in a nod to the momentum swinging behind a more conservative Pope if there was to be a conclave in the near future, driver Gino remarked: “I don’t want to wish him any ill, as I hope he gets better, but a different Pope might be good for the church too.’’