Faithful flock to Rome, praying for Pope to pull through

Joaquín Mbana Nchama walks with reverence toward the white marble statue of former Pope John Paul II, which towers over a small square outside the Gemelli Hospital in Rome's northwestern suburbs. He is the ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to the Vatican, and as he sits on a block next to the monument, he takes out a small red book and a rosary and begins to whisper prayers for Pope Francis under his breath.

"I'm not here to make a show," Mr. Mbana Nchama told DW after his prayers. "I just want to come and pray for this pope because he is one who truly wants the salvation of all of God's works and creation."

Next, a young Italian couple arrives with a baby. The mother prays, looking up at the statue, then leans down to kiss her child lying in the pram, tears streaming down her face.

"After five years trying to get pregnant, I went and prayed for the first time in my life 18 months ago during a papal Mass at the Vatican," said the 42-year-old woman from Rome, who asked for her name not to be published. "Two weeks later, our child was conceived, and I thank God and this pope for that. That’s why I've come to pray for him now."

Before they leave, her husband places a bunch of flowers next to the growing tributes of candles, balloons, handwritten letters, and photos placed around the statue of Pope Francis. Scores of people have come here every day to say prayers for the pope.

The statue's square is framed by a low hill, now crested with white gazebo tents used to cover cameras filming reporters as they broadcast live on TV. The world's media has descended on Rome, waiting for any word about the pope's health.

Pope's critical condition continues

Details on the pope's condition have remained scant. Every morning, the Vatican press office releases a one-line statement: "The pope slept well all night," was Tuesday's update.

A longer statement from Monday evening said that 88-year-old Pope Francis remains in critical condition at the hospital, where he has been since February 14.

"Critical condition could mean a lot of things, really," said one local doctor with extensive experience in critical care medicine, speaking to DW News on condition of anonymity because they don't have specific knowledge of the pope's case other than what comes in public statements.

"The reports say he is in good spirits and there are verbal messages, so I’d highly doubt he is requiring a ventilator," they said. "But with double pneumonia and reports of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, this presents quite a complex case, and these situations can change at any moment in my experience."

Influx of Jubilee 2025 pilgrims

The pope's health situation comes during an important year for the Vatican is expected to welcome over 30 million pilgrims as part of its Jubilee for 2025. Jubilees are a special moment for Catholics from all over the world to clear themselves of sins and debts and for the faithful to try to find universal pardon.

"The Jubilee is an opportunity for us all to remember that the center of Catholicism is Rome," said Father Roberto Regoli, director of the Department of Church History at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. "That's why the pilgrimage is important, and it will continue no matter the pope's health."

Those making the pilgrimage arrive at a reception center, and each group of between 10 and 30 people picks up a wooden cross to carry during the 800-meter walk to the Holy Doors of the Vatican.

"I'm here to prove my faith and to improve my faith," said Guido San Marco, a 67-year-old man who has flown from Surabaya, Indonesia, to make the pilgrimage.

Pilgrim's prayers

Another pilgrim making the trip to the Vatican City this year is Sarah O'Neill, a 62-year-old woman from Northern Ireland.

"Obviously we're praying for the pope's health first and foremost," she told DW News. "But it is sad for us personally that we can't see the papal Mass on this trip, which is normally here on Wednesdays. We'd been looking forward to it."

Bartosz Wawrzyńczak, a 42-year-old from Gdansk, is one of several Polish pilgrims DW spoke to who still feel more connected to Pope John Paul II, who was from Poland and led the Catholic Church from 1978.

"When I pray, I am always looking at images of John Paul II," he said. "I am personally slightly confused by the teachings of Pope Francis that are not orthodox and not something I would expect or be willing to follow, but we are trying to do our best to acknowledge and understand the words of the current pope."

Pope John Paul II was the last pope to die in office in 2005 and was succeeded by Pope Benedict XVI who resigned in 2015 and died in 2022.

Edited by: Jess Smee