Television screens inside the Manila Cathedral show a photo of Pope Francis before the Holy Hour led by Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula on Friday, February 21, 2025. Photo by Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - "Pregare per me" — words which mean "pray for me" in Italian.

Since his ascension to the Chair of Saint Peter 12 years ago, Pope Francis has made sure to end every speech and encounter with these words.

As the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics, people usually come to the pope to ask for blessings and prayers. Gracious though with the petitions, Francis always makes sure to ask for prayers in return.

And so as news from the Vatican broke that the pope was once again brought to the hospital and has been battling double pneumonia, many took to prayers to plead for his recovery.

In the Philippines, Catholic communities immediately responded.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula on Friday led a Holy Hour for the healing of Pope Francis.

For almost an hour, Advincula led the gathered faithful at the Manila Cathedral in praying for the pope before the Blessed Sacrament.

Catholics in Manila pray for healing of Pope Francis

Earlier, the cardinal published a prayer for the pope and encouraged parishes and other communities to use it.

"I would like to request our parishes and communities to organize community prayers for the intention of Pope Francis, like gathering our people for a Holy Hour for the Healing of the Sick, especially of the pope," Advincula said.

"Let us likewise offer our personal and family prayers for this intention. Let us unite ourselves in prayer in this trying time for the Church."

In Cebu, Archbishop Jose Palma led a eucharistic vigil for Pope Francis's recovery.

Aside from the lay faithful, seminarians and their formators gathered at the San Carlos Seminary College's Martins of Lisieux Chapel last Thursday.

Meanwhile, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David led a Holy Mass for the pope's healing.

"I hope we all continue to pray for our dear Holy Father Pope Francis. You already know from the news that he is suffering from a serious case of pneumonia and he's having difficulty breathing," said David, who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Cardinal David asks for prayers for ailing Pope Francis

Various archdioceses, dioceses, and parishes in the Philippines also shared their prayers for Pope Francis's recovery on their respective social media pages.

On X (formerly Twitter), Pope Francis has been trending in the Philippines since Vthe atican's announcement that the pontiff's condition remains complex.

It was in the Philippines where the pope earned a local nickname and has been fondly called "Lolo Kiko" since his historic visit in 2015.

Pope Francis recognized this gesture from the Filipinos and mentioned it during one of his general audiences.

"When I was in the Philippines, the Filipino people greeted me saying 'Lolo Kiko' — meaning Grandpa Francis," he said.

The pope has been at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14. Initially, the Vatican said the pope needs to be treated for bronchitis.

Later on, the medical bulletin revealed that the pontiff had pneumonia in both lungs.

But the Holy See Press Office said Pope Francis remains in good spirits and is showing slight improvement.

Pope reaches one-week mark in hospital for pneumonia

He was visited by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The two was said to have a conversation for 20 minutes.

The Vatican also added that the pope has no fever, "continues to breathe independently, and his heart remains strong." 

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