Pope following Vatican's spiritual retreat from afar as he recovers from pneumonia in hospital
Pope Francis is participating in the Vatican’s weeklong spiritual retreat from a Rome hospital as he continues his recovery from double pneumonia.
ROME — Pope Francis is participating in the Vatican’s weeklong spiritual retreat from a Rome hospital as he continued his recovery Monday from double pneumonia and looks ahead to the 12th anniversary of his election amid questions about what the future of his papacy might look like.
Francis followed the opening of the retreat by videoconference Sunday: He could see and hear the Rev. Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the papal household, but the priests, bishops and cardinals in the Vatican auditorium couldn’t see or hear him.
Pasolini delivered a meditation on “The hope of eternal life,” a theme that was chosen well before Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital Feb. 14 with a complex lung infection.
The retreat, which is an annual gathering that kicks off the Catholic Church’s solemn Lenten season leading to Easter, continues through the week. The Vatican had said Francis would participate “in spiritual communion” with the rest of the hierarchy, from afar.
In its early update Monday, the Vatican said Francis was resting after a quiet night.
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