Head of the Catholic Church: Thousands pray in Rome and Argentina for the sick Pope

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis' health remains critical despite a slight improvement. "No asthma attacks occurred today. Some laboratory values ​​have improved," the Holy See announced. Out of concern for the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church, thousands of believers from all over the world prayed a rosary for the Pope in St. Peter's Square that evening for the first time. Prayers were also said in his hometown of Buenos Aires.

The Vatican has published another medical bulletin from the Gemelli Clinic, where the Pope has been receiving treatment for a week and a half. It continues to speak of a critical condition . Francis still has "mild renal insufficiency", but this is no cause for concern. He has once again received additional oxygen. Francis is "in good spirits" and is working again.

The Argentinian has been suffering from a respiratory illness since mid-December, but was determined to avoid going to hospital. After being admitted in mid-February, pneumonia was diagnosed in both lungs.

Francis is being treated in a shielded wing on the tenth floor of the university hospital. Only his closest colleagues are allowed to see him. Despite this, an activist from Argentina reportedly tried to get into the hospital room. 41-year-old trade unionist Juan Grabois denied the accusation to the Argentinian newspaper La Nación . He said he had simply left a letter for a security guard on the ground floor to give to the Pope. It never occurred to him to go to the tenth floor, where the papal suite is located.

Numerous cardinals also took part in the service in St. Peter's Square in Rome . It was led by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's number two. The name of the 70-year-old Italian is also mentioned again and again when the topic of Francis' successor is discussed.

Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires, hundreds of people attended a mass for the Argentine-born Pope. They gathered on Monday in a square in the center of the Argentine capital, where the Jesuit Jorge Bergoglio had himself held masses as archbishop of his hometown.

The faithful waved Argentine flags and placards with wishes for his recovery. They prayed, sang hymns and repeatedly shouted "Viva el Papa Francisco" (Long live Pope Francis). "May our prayer be the breath of fresh air that reaches his lungs," said the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge García Cuerva, in his homily.