As Pope Francis remains in the hospital in Rome, there has been a significant gathering of faithful individuals from around the world to pray for his recovery. St. Peter’s Basilica and the Gemelli hospital, where the Pope is being treated, have become central locations for this display of faith and solidarity.
Sister Daura Guede, a Brazil-based nun, was seen praying below the Pope’s hospital window on Monday night. “We pray the prayer to the Madonna, putting our intentions forward to pray for the health of Pope Francis,” she said.
Since February 24th, the Cardinals of the Roman Curia have been leading evening rosary prayers in St. Peter’s Square for the faithful. Attendees include Sister Maria Agnese Nguyen, a Vatican employee who never misses a session. “The Pope loves Mother Mary,” she said, holding her rosary beads. “And so, we ask for the intercession of Mother Mary for the health of our Pope through the Holy Rosary.”
The rosary, believed to have originated from the Middle Ages and gaining popularity in the 16th century, is a structured sequence of recitations, including “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” prayers. The Rev. Enzo Fortunato, a Franciscan and member of the Vatican committee for World Children’s Day, stated that the rosary is one of the most beautiful and simplest prayers in the world. It has been associated with two saints- Saint Dominic and Saint Francis, both of whom had a deep love for Mary.
Praying the rosary has been a long-standing tradition for those seeking healing and comfort. The Basilica in Lourdes, France, is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary and is regarded as one of the most renowned sites of Marian devotion.
Many Catholics remember the similar vigils that took place in St. Peter’s Square in 2005 when Pope John Paul II was hospitalized during the last days of his papacy. As Pope Francis faces health concerns, the faithful have again turned to this age-old prayer for strength, healing, and divine intervention.
Source: http://www.africanews.com/2025/03/06/faithful-gather-in-rome-to-pray-the-rosary-for-pope-francis-health/
