Pope Francis thanked the health
professionals treating him in Rome's Agostino Gemelli hospital
and said he still needed therapy for a bout on bronchitis in the
text of his Angelus address, which was released by the Vatican
on Sunday.
The 88-year-old Argentine pontiff did not read out the address
because doctors have said he needs rest after being admitted to
hospital on Friday.
Vatican Press Office Director Matteo Bruni said on Sunday that
Francis had "slept well" at night.
"He had breakfast and read some newspapers, as he does usually,"
Bruni added.
On Saturday the Vatican had said that tests had shown Francis
had a "respiratory tract infection" and there had been an
improvement in some of his medical parameters.
In the Angelus text, the pope mentioned the participants in a
Jubilee event for artists.
"I wish to greet all the artists who have participated: I would
have liked to be among you but, as you know, I am here at the
Gemelli Hospital because I still need some treatment for my
bronchitis," he said.
"Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which
you are accompanying me in these days, and I would like to thank
the doctors and healthcare workers in this hospital for their
care: they do such a valuable and tiring job, let us support
them with prayer!".
The pope also called for prayers "for peace in tormented
Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and all the Middle East, Myanmar,
Kivu and Sudan".
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