Aurora Ceccarelli, 28, said it was her “duty” to come to the hospital and pray for the pope, whom she met and was struck by a few years prior. “He is exceptional in every way. He is close to people, he made us feel united, he was with us through many hard times, during the pandemic and the wars, he is a symbol in every way. He is different from everyone else,” she said.
“I pray that he may get better soon and return to his duties,” she added.
Another woman from Latin America, who refused to comment on the pope’s health, cried silently as she prayed for Francis.
The pope “thanks all the people of God who have gathered in recent days to pray for his health,” the Vatican statement said. Vatican cardinals and faithful in Rome gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday evening to pray the rosary for the pope, led by the No. 2 Vatican official, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
 after he suffered a respiratory crisis and blood work showed initial signs of kidney failure over the weekend. Despite the promising report, however, the doctors said their prognosis remains guarded.){kind=link}