Papal nuncio urges Filipinos to pray for Pope Francis battling double pneumonia

Archbishop Charles John Brown, who serves as the papal nuncio in the Philippines, urged Filipinos on Saturday to continue praying for Pope Francis, who is battling double pneumonia and recently experienced a medical setback.

Brown made the appeal during the installation of Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr. as the new bishop of Balanga at the Cathedral-Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph in Bataan.

According to a CBCP News report, Brown said that Pope Francis had an isolated bronchospasm crisis on Friday, leading to a sudden worsening of his respiratory condition; he remains alert but requires continued medical intervention.

Doctors have placed Pope Francis on non-invasive mechanical ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy; as of Saturday morning (Philippine time), he is in stable condition with no further breathing crises reported since the latest setback.

Pope Francis was first hospitalized on February 14 due to difficulty breathing caused by bronchitis, which later developed into double pneumonia.

The Vatican noted that despite these efforts, the prognosis for Pope Francis remains guarded; his recovery continues to rely heavily on medical care and prayer from around the world.