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Pope Francis will preside over Holy Week ceremonies after spending three nights at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome with a respiratory infection. The Supreme Pontiff must preside over the Palm Sunday mass this Sunday, April 2, and the Easter Sunday mass, celebrated in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis was hospitalized on Wednesday, March 29, with breathing difficulties. After this Friday morning’s exams, the clinical staff set the date for the Pontiff’s hospital discharge.
The Vatican has announced that the Pope must be present at Holy Week ceremonies. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the highest leader of the college of cardinals, has already revealed that Francis will be present in all Easter rites, contrary to what he had advanced yesterday.
“According to the information I have, he will leave the Gemelli hospital tomorrow, so that he can preside over all the rites of Holy Week”, said Battista Re. Pope Francis will preside over the Holy Week ceremonies, but he will not read or celebrate the entire eucharist.
“We are all happy that the Pope is participating in the Holy Week ceremonies. It is a joy for everyone”, described Father Angelo Romano of the Community of Sant’Egidio.
Father Angelo Romano, from the Community of Sant’Egidio, who was behind the Rome Peace Accords for Mozambique, claims that it is out of time to evoke the repetition of the scenario of the abdication of the predecessor of the current Pope, Benedict XVI, who had abdicated in 2013 for reasons of health, ending up dying on the 31st of December last. “It’s not the time to talk about it. All journalists ask the same question, but I think it’s not normal. The exams are over and all that is behind us”defended.
“We are all worried because it’s normal to be worried when the Pope is sick”concluded Bishop Angelo Romano, of the Community of Sant’Egidio.