The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Sunday called on the faithful across the nation to continue lifting up Pope Francis in prayer as the pontiff’s health remained in critical condition.

In a post on its official Facebook page, the CBCP shared the latest updates from the Vatican and urged the public to unite in prayer for the 88-year-old Pope.

“Let us continue to pray for Pope Francis,” the bishops wrote, echoing sentiments expressed by Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David and other church leaders who have previously called for prayers for the Pope’s healing.

The Pope has been hospitalized since 14 February at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after a series of health complications, including pneumonia.

According to the latest report from the Holy See Press Office on Saturday evening, Pope Francis’ condition worsened over the past 24 hours.

The Vatican revealed that the pontiff experienced a prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis requiring high-flow oxygen and underwent blood transfusions after tests revealed a dangerously low platelet count, leading to concerns about anemia.

Despite the severity of his condition, the Vatican reassured the public that Pope Francis remained alert and spent the day in an armchair.

“At the moment, the prognosis is reserved,” the Saturday statement concluded, sparking widespread alarm about the leader of the world’s almost 1.4 billion Catholics.

Sunday morning’s update from the Vatican was brief, saying: “The night passed peacefully; the Pope rested.”

A Vatican source later said that, unlike earlier in the week, the Argentine pontiff had not eaten breakfast, nor had he read the newspapers.

Experts have cautioned that the infection could potentially spread to the bloodstream, leading to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

The pontiff’s health has been a subject of concern, especially considering his frailty and age.

Earlier in the week, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would not lead the Sunday Angelus for the second consecutive week — a rare occasion in his papacy. Even after undergoing surgery in 2021, he had only missed one public prayer.

“The pope gets worse,” headlined Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper on Sunday morning, while la Repubblica described it as the “darkest day” at the Vatican.

“The situation is becoming more worrying,” Fabrizio Pregliasco, a leading Italian virologist, told La Stampa daily, adding that “the next few hours and days will be crucial.”

A senior prelate was also brought in to replace Francis in celebrating a Sunday morning mass for the Jubilee 2025, a special year of Catholic celebrations.

“Even though he is in a hospital bed, we feel him close to us,” Rino Fisichella said before reading out the homily at St. Peter’s Basilica, offering prayers for Francis in this “moment of trial.”

The cardinal vicar of Rome, Baldo Reina, also urged believers to join him at a mass on Sunday evening in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, calling on God to give Francis “the necessary strength.”

A group of nuns and priests from around the world gathered Saturday outside the entrance of the Gemelli Hospital, singing and praying for the pope.

Well-wishers have, since Francis’ admission, been leaving candles bearing his picture at the foot of the statue of former Pope John Paul II, who was also treated there many times.

Francis has said the papacy is a job for life, but has also left the door open to resigning like his predecessor Benedict XVI.

The German theologian in 2013 became the first pope since the Middle Ages to voluntarily step down, citing his ailing physical and mental health.

Francis had repeatedly said it was not yet the time to quit — but his illness has raised fresh questions about his ability to fulfill his role.

The pope maintains a punishing work schedule, and in September made a 12-day tour to the Asia-Pacific. However, he has suffered increasing health issues, from colon surgery in July 2021 to a hernia operation in 2023.

He is also overweight and has constant hip and knee pain, which forces him to use a wheelchair most of the time.