Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, led a rosary prayer for the health and speedy recovery of Pope Francis on Tuesday evening at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican (4:00 A.M. February 26, 2025, in Manila).

Hundreds of faithful gathered to participate in the prayer service.

The rosary is part of a nightly initiative that began on Monday, led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

Pope Francis, who is in hospital with pneumonia in both lungs, is still in a critical condition but is stable and working from his sick bed, the Vatican said Tuesday.

Catholics across the globe have been praying for the 88-year-old amid hope he may be turning a corner on what doctors warn could be a long path to recovery.