Pope Francis spoke to well-wishers in St. Peter's Square for the first time since his hospitalization nearly three weeks prior. His brief message expressed gratitude for their prayers, though he appeared fragile. Over the weeks of his illness, many Catholics have shared a collective experience of waiting and praying, grappling with uncertainty regarding his health. The Vatican has kept the public informed with updates about his condition, fostering a supportive community among Catholics around the world as they hope for his recovery.
In a brief recording, Francis thanked them for their prayers. May God bless you, and may the Virgin protect you, he said in Spanish.
As his illness has stretched on, prospects for his full recovery have dimmed for many Catholics.
It is a period of waiting and prayer, but also of Googling new medical terms and checking one's phone too often for updates.
For many Catholics in the United States and around the world, recent weeks have been filled with waiting and prayer.
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