Pope receives many congratulations in hospital on his anniversary in office

On the twelfth anniversary of his election, Pope Francis has received hundreds of letters from children and young people from all over the world. Congratulations from schools, sports clubs and religious institutions were brought to the head of the Church's bedside, the Vatican explained on Thursday. Many sick children also sent greetings to the Pope.

Francis (88), born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, was elected the 266th Pope in Church history on 13 March 2013. He has been in the Gemelli Clinic in Rome for almost four weeks due to bilateral pneumonia, among other things.

"A great deal of patience" is still required

After around two weeks in a critical condition, the patient is no longer in acute mortal danger. The Vatican did not provide any further information about his exact daily routine, his therapies or a possible discharge date; in view of the still complex clinical picture, "a great deal of patience" is still required. A new medical update is expected on Friday evening.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, an avowed Catholic, was among those who sent congratulations on the anniversary. "The United States values its longstanding relationship with the Holy See, which is based on our shared commitment to promoting peace around the world, fostering interfaith dialogue and protecting religious freedom," the Republican said. He went on to write: "Pope Francis is in the heart and prayers of my family and the more than 50 million Catholics in the United States, and we hope for his continued and speedy recovery."

Italy's bishops declared in a letter of congratulations that even from his sickbed in Rome's Gemelli Clinic, his "luminous magisterium of unity and charity" was visible. "We thank you, Your Holiness, for your witness and the strength you continue to give us all," said the Permanent Council of the Italian Bishops' Conference, which is meeting in Rome this week. There were no special events on the programme for the election day itself, which is a public holiday in the Vatican.

The Vatican announced on Thursday morning that Francis had spent another quiet night and was continuing his prescribed therapy and light motor exercises. He receives oxygen at night via a non-invasive breathing mask and during the day via nasal cannulas. He also continues to follow the Roman Curia's retreats, which last until Friday, and prays in the chapel of the private wing on the tenth floor of the clinic in north-west Rome.

For the first time, no cardinal will lead the prayer

At the end of the Lenten retreat, the evening prayers for the Pope's health will once again take place in St Peter's Square, it was announced. According to Vatican sources, the prayer on Friday from 7.30 pm will be organised by the Vatican Office for Communication. The prayers are currently being held in the audience hall and broadcast to St Peter's Square and via the media worldwide.

This Thursday, for the first time, no cardinal will preside over the prayer: The Prefect of the Vatican Office for Legislative Texts, Archbishop Filippo Iannone, will lead the prayer from 6pm in the Audience Hall. Praying the rosary has a long tradition in the Catholic Church. These devotions in parishes are often led by lay people, mostly women.

On Friday, when Francis will have been in hospital for exactly one month, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin will celebrate a Mass for the Pope's health together with the Diplomatic Corps. The service will take place at 10.30 a.m. in the Cappella Paolina of the Apostolic Palace. (KNA)