Pray for the Pope’s recovery, says CBCP

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday encouraged Catholics to continue praying for the speedy recovery of Pope Francis.

During a Holy Mass for the Recovery of the Holy Father last Thursday night, CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said that he received good news regarding the Pope’s health status.

“Just a while ago, I got the news that when he woke up this morning, he was feeling a little better,” the cardinal said during his homily.

He added that the doctors are seeing an improvement in the health of the 88-year-old Catholic church leader.

The mass was held in response to the call of Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, to pray for the health improvement of the Santo Papa.

A prayer vigil was also held Friday afternoon at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros where Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula led a vigil for the health improvement of the Holy Father.

Advincula also encouraged different parishes and communities to recite the Prayer for the Healing of Pope Francis, available in both Tagalog and English.

CBCP has reported that Jesuit priest Antonio Spadaro, a close friend of Pope Francis, said that the Pope’s health remains “delicate” but has no “cause for alarm.”

The Vatican also noted that the Holy Father’s health showed improvement.

“The Holy Father’s clinical condition is showing slight improvement. He has no fever, and his hemodynamic parameters remain stable. This morning, he received the Eucharist and then engaged in work activities,” the Vatican reported.