Pope continues recovery, sleeps well as Vatican launches marathon prayers and allies cheer him on

Starting this evening, we want to unite ourselves publicly to this prayer here, in his house,

Parolin said,

We are very sorry. Pope Francis is a good pope, let’s hope that he makes it. Let us hope,

said a choked-up Filomena Ferraro, who was visiting a relative at Gemelli on Monday

In the evening he called the parish priest of the Gaza parish to express his fatherly closeness,

the statement said

We all must die. There is no eternal earthly life. The pope has a special task, but he is a man like all men".

But he added

Donald TrumpuS President

It's a very serious situation but we do want him to get well if that's possible."

US President Donald Trump, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House, said

The real risk in these cases is that the germs pass into the blood,

he said

We Ukrainians are really praying for him,

Vozlv said

Gerhard Ludwig Müllergerman Cardinal

We are not medical experts,

said Muller about cardinals

The pope is still alive and this is a moment for prayer,

he said

The monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency has not raised any concerns, ... Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen levels."

it said, adding

The critical clinical conditions of the Holy Father demonstrate a slight improvement. Even today there were no episodes of asthmatic respiratory attacks; some laboratory tests have improved,

said the Vatican in its evening bulletin on the 88-year-old's health

When the pope dies, a very limited government takes over, running the Vatican State and the Apostolic Palace without making major decisions or appointments—the Church is without an earthly head. The College of Cardinals is the governing body during the vacancy of the Papal See."

Ulrich Lehner, a professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, told Newsweek

At this moment, I would like us to ask for the same faith as Abraham, the 'spes contra spem,' hope against all hope,

Corrao said, ... according to the Italian news agency ANSA

The entire Catholic community is united in prayer,

Italian newspaper Il Mattino reported, ... noting

He has returned the Church to its most authentic nature... A close Church which consoles, listens and accompanies,

he said

Saint Patrickhusband

As our Holy Father Pope Francis is in very, very fragile health, and probably close to death,

Dolan said in his homily from the pulpit of St Patrick's Cathedral, though he later told reporter

Antonio Spadarojesuit theologian

At this moment in history, one feels the need for his figure

Jesuit theologian Antonio Spadaro, who is close to Francis, told the Repubblica daily

The pope is vigilant, he is exercising his pastoral duty even from his hospital bed, and -- although in a different, less visible manner -- he manifests his presence

he said

It is the body's response to an ongoing infection, in this case of the two lungs

he said

The Holy Father called us the first two days of hospitalisation, people were waiting at 8pm Gaza time as always,

Romanelli said