VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A light drizzle finally let up as hundreds of faithful headed to St. Peter's Square to pray the rosary for Pope Francis on the 11th day of his hospitalization for double pneumonia.
The wet black cobblestones shone from the bright lights illuminating the fountains and the front of the square where Pope Francis normally sits for his Wednesday general audiences. An image of Mater Ecclesiae -- Mary, Mother of the Church -- adorned with greenery and white and pink flowers took center stage. About 27 cardinals living in Rome and dozens of members of the Roman Curia sat to the side as Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, knelt before the image, leading a recitation of the rosary Feb. 24 at 9 p.m., which will be held nightly as the pope continues his treatment.
"Since the Holy Father Francis has been hospitalized at Gemelli hospital, intense prayer has been raised to the Lord by individual faithful and Christian communities around the world," he said. Starting with this evening, "we also want to join in this prayer publicly here in his home with the recitation of the holy rosary." Entrusting the 88-year-old pope "to the powerful intercession of most holy Mary," the cardinal said, "may she, our caring mother, sustain him in this time of illness and trial, and help him to recover his health soon."
The Rosary joined other Masses and other services around the world in praying for the pope's health.
Three nuns pray in the courtyard outside Rome's Gemelli hospital Feb. 23, 2025, where Pope Francis is being treated for double pneumonia. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Balloons, votive candles and flowers are seen at the base of a statue of St. John Paul II outside Rome's Gemelli hospital Feb. 23, 2025, where Pope Francis is being treated for double pneumonia. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Worshippers attend a Mass to pray for Pope Francis' health at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb. 23, 2025. After a quiet night, Pope Francis woke up and was continuing his treatment Feb. 24, the 10th day of his hospitalization for a complex lung infection that has provoked the early stages of kidney insufficiency, the Vatican said. (OSV News photo/Pedro Lazaro Fernandez, Reuters)
Votive candles and flowers are seen at the base of a statue of St. John Paul II outside Rome's Gemelli hospital Feb. 23, 2025, where Pope Francis is being treated for double pneumonia. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Two pigeons alight to rest on the crosier of a statue of St. John Paul II outside Rome's Gemelli hospital Feb. 23, 2025, where Pope Francis is being treated for double pneumonia. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
People attend a Mass to pray for Pope Francis' health at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City Feb. 23, 2025. After a quiet night, Pope Francis woke up and was continuing his treatment Feb. 24, the 10th day of his hospitalization for a complex lung infection that has provoked the early stages of kidney insufficiency, the Vatican said. (OSV News photo/Luis Cortes, Reuters)
Father Francisco Antonio Sanchez shows a portrait of Pope Francis after he attended a Mass to pray for 88-year-old-pontiff's health at Nuestra Senora del Socorro Church in Ronda, Spain, Feb. 23, 2025. After a quiet night, Pope Francis woke up and was continuing his treatment Feb. 24, the 10th day of his hospitalization for a complex lung infection that has provoked the early stages of kidney insufficiency, the Vatican said. (OSV News phto/Jon Nazca, Reuters)
Retired Bishop Luca Brandolini, 91, a one-time auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rome, prays 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)
The cover of a get well card featuring a portrait of Pope Francis and the words, in Italian, "For our dear pope," is seen in the Vatican press office Feb. 23, 2025, after Pope Francis saw it at Rome's Gemelli hospital. (CNS photo/Cindy Wooden)
A get well card for Pope Francis shows him opening the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica; the children who made the card have signed their names inside. The Vatican press office brought the card from Pope Francis' room at Rome's Gemelli hospital Feb. 23, 2025, for reporters to see. (CNS photo/Cindy Wooden)
Get well cards featuring drawings of Pope Francis and plenty of hearts are seen in the Vatican press office Feb. 23, 2025, after Pope Francis saw them at Rome's Gemelli hospital. (CNS photo/Cindy Wooden)
A girl named Valeria sends Pope Francis a card saying she hoped he would get well soon so that she could give him a hug. The Vatican press office brought the card from Pope Francis' room at Rome's Gemelli hospital Feb. 23, 2025, for reporters to see. (CNS photo/Cindy Wooden)
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, Italy, leads a prayer service for Pope Francis' health at the Church of San Domenico in Bologna Feb. 23, 2025. After a quiet night, Pope Francis woke up and was continuing his treatment Feb. 24, the 10th day of his hospitalization for a complex lung infection that has provoked the early stages of kidney insufficiency, the Vatican said. (OSV News photo/Michele Lapini, Reuters)
A person holds a rosary, an image of Mary and the Christ Child, and an image of Pope Francis as people join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. The U.S. bishops urged the faithful to join in on a call from Cardinal Parolin to pray the rosary for Pope Francis Feb. 24 as he remains hospitalized with a complex lung infection. (OSV News photo/Guglielmo Mangiapane)
People join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. Cardinals living in Rome, leaders of the Roman Curia and the faithful joined the nighttime prayer. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
A priest prays as people join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. The U.S. bishops urged the faithful to join in on a call from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to pray the rosary for Pope Francis Feb. 24 as he remains hospitalized with a complex lung infection. (OSV News photo/Guglielmo Mangiapane)
A rosary can be seen as people join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. Cardinals living in Rome, leaders of the Roman Curia and the faithful joined the nighttime prayer. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
A nun prays as people join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. The U.S. bishops urged the faithful to join in on a call from Cardinal Parolin to pray the rosary for Pope Francis Feb. 24 as he remains hospitalized with a complex lung infection. (OSV News photo/Guglielmo Mangiapane)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, leads the recitation of the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. Cardinals living in Rome, leaders of the Roman Curia and the faithful joined the nighttime prayer. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Cardinals, including Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who is appealing his conviction by a Vatican court for financial malfeasance, join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, leads the recitation of the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. Other cardinals living in Rome, leaders of the Roman Curia and the faithful joined him for the nighttime prayer. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
People join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. The U.S. bishops urged the faithful to join in on a call from Cardinal Parolin to pray the rosary for Pope Francis Feb. 24 as he remains hospitalized with a complex lung infection. (OSV News photo/Guglielmo Mangiapane)
A woman cries as people join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. The U.S. bishops urged the faithful to join in on a call from Cardinal Parolin to pray the rosary for Pope Francis Feb. 24 as he remains hospitalized with a complex lung infection. (OSV News photo/Guglielmo Mangiapane)
People join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. The U.S. bishops urged the faithful to join in on a call from Cardinal Parolin to pray the rosary for Pope Francis Feb. 24 as he remains hospitalized with a complex lung infection. (OSV News photo/Guglielmo Mangiapane)
People join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. The U.S. bishops urged the faithful to join in on a call from Cardinal Parolin to pray the rosary for Pope Francis Feb. 24 as he remains hospitalized with a complex lung infection. (OSV News photo/Guglielmo Mangiapane)
People join Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. Cardinals living in Rome, leaders of the Roman Curia and the faithful joined the nighttime prayer. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
A nun joins Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in reciting the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. Cardinals living in Rome, leaders of the Roman Curia and the faithful joined the nighttime prayer. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
A prelate, assisted by an aide, arrives to recite the rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 24, 2025. Cardinals living in Rome, leaders of the Roman Curia and the faithful joined the nighttime prayer. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
