Hundreds gather at Cathedral to pray for Pope Francis as he battles with double pneumonia (video)

Hundreds of Catholics gathered on Sunday, Feb. 23, at New York City’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral to pray for Pope Francis, who remains in critical condition after he was diagnosed with double pneumonia. 

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, relayed the pontiff and Vatican’s message that the pope was “resting comfortably” as he reminded the worried worshipers that Francis has a history of health issues that he has overcome to lead the Catholic Church. 

“He keeps the grit and determination, the resilience, and he’s really taught us… the transformative redemptive value of suffering,” Dolan said. 

“Today at least they say he’s resting comfortably, it’s kind of good to know that he’s not suffering,” he added. 
 

The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days, with doctors diagnosing him with pneumonia in both lungs. 

The Vatican said his condition was critical for the first time on Saturday, Feb. 22, with the pontiff needing supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions following a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis.” 

New York resident and philanthropist Barbara Zucker, 87, said she came to St. Patrick’s to pray for the pope, joined by her Jewish husband, Donald. 

“I just don’t want to lose him because he’s been very special,” Zucker told The Post. 

“I’m hoping that when they do have a conclave because he’s pretty sick, that they’ll have somebody as good as him, and maybe better. He cares about everyone,” she said of the ailing pontiff. 

Dawn Cortese, 56, of Bergen County, New Jersey, said she made the trek to Manhattan with a friend to show solidarity with Francis, who she said serves as the best representative of the Catholic Church. 

“I just hope that he recovers and that he’s not in any pain, and I’m praying for him,” she said.

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