Chicago faith leaders and the local Catholic community sent their well wishes to Pope Francis on Saturday. The Vatican reported that he experienced a “respiratory crisis.”
The pope’s condition remains critical, according to a statement from the Vatican.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The 88-year-old has been in the hospital receiving treatment pneumonia and a lung infection.
The Vatican said Pope Francis is alert, but continues to struggle when breathing on his own.
READ MORE | Pope Francis in critical condition after suffering ‘asthmatic respiratory crisis,’ Vatican says
Chicago-area worshippers were praying for his recovery Saturday evening.
In the pews of Holy Name Cathedral, words of prayer and song rang out, but with deeper meaning at Saturday night’s mass.
Mass attendee Peggie O’Neill expressed, “Hopefully, our prayers will get to him. He’s human, like the rest of us, and we just have to hope and pray for his recovery.”
Pope Francis received blood transfusions Saturday to treat anemia after being in the hospital for more than a week with bronchitis and pneumonia.
Pope Francis, who is from Argentina, is at risk for respiratory infections. In his youth, he had a severe case of pneumonia that resulted in the removal of part of his lung.
Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, shared the following statement Saturday:
“We have received word that the Pope’s condition worsened this morning. Please continue your prayers for his recovery and for the health care professionals working to lead him through this setback. We ask our Merciful Lord to restore Pope Francis to good health and to keep him free from pain as he receives treatment.”
“He’s got a lot of people rooting for him, and hoping for the best for him, and just making sure that he knows he has the support from people all over the world,” mass attendee Mark Burgess said.
The pontiff is expected to remain in the hospital for at least all of next week.
“I remember when he said in the beginning, he said, ‘Who am I to judge?’ And that tells the whole story about the pope; really good person,” mass attendee John Keeting said.
The Vatican said Francis will not deliver his weekly prayer this Sunday, missing the tradition for the third time in almost 12 years.
ABC News contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
