As he did on Sunday, Francis participated in the retreat remotely from the Rome hospital where he is being treated. He could see and hear the Rev. Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the papal household, but the priests, bishops and cardinals gathered for the retreat in the Vatican auditorium could not see or hear him.
Pope Francis remains on daily oxygen therapy during his third week in the hospital, with his prognosis still "guarded," the Holy See Press Office said in a Saturday update. Francis has been critically ill with double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis after being admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14.
Pope Francis is resting after sleeping through the night with a ventilation mask as he undergoes hospital treatment for double pneumonia.
The pope "rested well" and woke shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, his 20th day in the hospital, the Vatican said.
Pope Francis, 88, has been in a Rome hospital for 3 weeks, but he was well enough as he recovers from pneumonia to record a first message for his supporters.
Pope Francis skips this year’s services as he remains in hospital - Pope Francis is unable to take part in Ash Wednesday celebrations this year
As Christians around the world mark the start of the season of Lent at Ash Wednesday services, the pope is taking part in associated traditions in his hospital room. Pope Francis had ashes imposed on his forehead at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital by another Catholic leader and also received the Eucharist,
Pope Francis’ condition remained stable on Wednesday (March 5), according to a Vatican statement relaying his doctors’ reports. As Francis is being treated for pneumonia in both lungs at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome,