NZ bishops ask for prayers of healing for Pope Francis

In a short video posted to his Facebook page on February 23, Bishop Steve Lowe stood outside the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph in Auckland, where he was about to celebrate a Youth Mass.

“In Mass, as we do every time we celebrate Mass, we pray for the Holy Father,” Bishop Lowe said.

“But tonight, can I ask you also to pray for the Holy Father, that the Lord will pour out his healing and his mercy upon him as he struggles with pneumonia at this time.”

Speaking on radio, Wellington Archbishop Paul Martin SM spoke about the deep concern from Catholic people about the Pope’s health.

Archbishop Martin said the bishops are asking people to pray for Pope Francis “even more […] at this time”.

“We hope that Pope Francis senses how much he is loved and supported at this time from all over the world, and from our part of the world here in New Zealand,” Archbishop Martin added.

“We pray that he also feels the closeness of God at this time of sickness, and that he may be restored to full health.”

Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley told the Otago Daily Times that prayers were being said for Pope Francis at local Masses on Sunday.

“People are probably concerned because he’s a bit like a grandfather […] who may not be long with us,” Bishop Dooley said.

In an update on Monday morning (Rome time), the Holy See Press Office said “the night went well, the Pope has slept and is resting”.

Pope Francis’ condition “remains critical”, the Holy See Press Office said in a statement issued on Sunday evening in Rome, reported the Catholic News Agency.

The Pope continues to receive supplemental oxygen and is being monitored for mild early-stage kidney insufficiency.

On Monday, a new prayer initiative for the Holy Father was announced. Cardinals will lead a nightly Rosary in St Peter’s Square at 9pm, starting on Monday evening. It will be livestreamed on various platforms, including the Vatican News website.

On Sunday, the Pope released a statement about the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, and also sent a message to 23 deacons who were ordained at St Peter’s Basilica.

On Saturday, the Pope Francis experienced “an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity” that required high-flow oxygen therapy.

The Holy Father also received a blood transfusion, the Vatican said.

On Friday, Pope’s medical team said that the 88-year-old Holy Father must remain in the hospital for “enhanced” treatment.

The Pope was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital on February 14, to undergo testing and treatment for bronchitis.

He was subsequently found to be suffering from double pneumonia.

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Facebook (Bishop Lowe facebook page)

https://cathnewsnz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Archbishop-Paul-Pope-Francis-.m4a (Archbishop Martin audio message)

Community praying for ailing Pope | Otago Daily Times Online News (Otago Daily Times/Behind Paywall)

Pope Francis’ health latest news: Live updates | Catholic News Agency (Catholic News Agency)