Fisher will be main celebrant and homilist at a special Mass Tuesday allowing area Catholics to join in prayer on behalf of Pope Francis, who was in a Rome hospital in critical condition with pneumonia and kidney problems.

Pope Francis remained in a critical condition Sunday and blood tests showed early kidney failure but he remains alert, responsive and attended Mass, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia and a complex lung infection.

Pope Francis remained in critical condition Sunday and blood tests showed early kidney failure but he remains alert, responsive and attended Mass, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia and a complex lung infection.

Pope Francis had breakfast, read the newspapers and followed Mass on television Sunday after a second night sleeping well at the

Valentina Fernandez poses for a picture holding an image of Pope Francis after a Mass to pray for his health at Constitution Square in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Feb. 24,

People pray for the ailing Pope Francis during a special evening Mass Feb. 23, 2025, in Rome's Basilica of St. John Lateran. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza) VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis’ condition has shown a slight improvement,

On February 24, prayers for Pope Francis continued at Gemelli Hospital, where the Holy Father remains hospitalized. In the St. John Paul II Chapel, Adoration was led by the chaplain at noon, followed by Holy Mass. Let's continue to pray for Pope Francis. pic.twitter.com/ZCZm5mskYg

The 88-year-old Francis has pneumonia in both lungs and remains in critical condition despite showing a slight improvement after 11 days in the hospital.

Pope Francis is in good spirits, eating normally and continuing to receive treatment, Vatican sources have said.

The Vatican No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will lead the first prayer Monday. Francis, who has double pneumonia and is in the early stages of kidney insufficiency, was awake and in good spirits Monday.