ROME (CNS) — For the first time since Pope Francis was hospitalized in mid-February, the Vatican press office released a photograph of him March 16; the image shows him concelebrating Mass that morning in the chapel of his suite of rooms at Rome’s Gemelli hospital. The Mass also was the first the Vatican described as…
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has approved the next phase of the Synod of Bishops on synodality, launching a three-year implementation process that will culminate in an ecclesial assembly at the Vatican in October 2028. In a letter published March 15, Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the synod, announced that the synod’s new phase…
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Four weeks after Pope Francis was hospitalized and one day after the 12th anniversary of the pope’s election, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, celebrated a Mass for the pope with ambassadors accredited to the Holy See. “We gather in prayer this morning with the intention of the health of…
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After one full month of being hospitalized and treated for double pneumonia and other respiratory infections, Pope Francis’ medical condition has decidedly stabilized, the Vatican press office said. Despite his “complex” medical situation, there has been no significant change for the past few days so doctors caring for the pope at…
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis spent the 12th anniversary of his election to the papacy undergoing physiotherapy at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, but he was well enough to celebrate it in little ways. Along with the health care workers treating him, the pope — who has been hospitalized for nearly a month — had a…
Reading 1 Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25 Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the LORD. She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said: “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. Help me, who am alone and have no help…