CV NEWS FEED // Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, celebrated Mass March 3 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., offering prayers for Pope Francis, who remains hospitalized amid ongoing health concerns.
The Mass was attended by nearly 1,000 people, Our Sunday Visitor reported, and was followed by a recitation of the Holy Rosary, with many of the faithful remaining to pray for the Holy Father’s healing.
During his homily, Cardinal Pierre expressed gratitude for the outpouring of prayers for the Pope’s healing.
“We are united with him through the Eucharist, this Eucharistic offering of Christ,” he reminded the congregation.
Pope Francis has been hospitalized with bilateral pneumonia since Feb. 14. He recently stabilized after experiencing two episodes of respiratory failure on March 3, CatholicVote reported.
Cardinal Pierre reflected on the Vatican’s recent health updates, particularly the repeated phrase: “He remains in good spirits.” While simple, Cardinal Pierre suggested these words hold profound meaning.
Quoting Psalm 92, he said, “The just shall bear fruit even in old age. Vigorous and sturdy shall they be, declaring, ‘How just is the Lord, my rock in whom there is no wrong.’”
At 88, the Holy Father faces many physical challenges, yet the Cardinal said that his spirit remains strong.
“To declare that Pope Francis is in good spirits is to remind us of the faith and confidence in God that he carries within him,” he said. “His spirit — that is what remains vigorous.”
Drawing from St. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:58, Cardinal Pierre also noted the Pope’s unwavering commitment to his mission.
“The Holy Father is always devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that his labor is not in vain,” he said.
Though the Pope bears many exalted titles, the Cardinal noted that the Holy Father identifies most as simply a follower of Christ.
When asked early in his papacy who he was, Pope Francis responded, “I am a sinner, whom the Lord has looked upon.”
“And so, we pray for the Pope, but we don’t finish there,” the Cardinal said. “We pray for ourselves. No less than the Pope, each of us is called to live from a personal encounter with Christ. Each of us is a sinner, whom the Lord has looked upon, [and] is called to show to others what it means to be marked by the mystery of the Lord’s death and resurrection.”
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