Flying balloons in the Vatican colors of yellow and white, dozens of children gathered on Sunday in the square of the Policlinico A. Gemelli, where Pope Francis has been hospitalized for more than four weeks, and chanted “Papa Francesco” and cheered, “Viva la Pace” — hurray for peace.
Many held up signs, hoping that the pope might peek out of the windows of his 10th-floor hospital suite to see their art. They offered encouragement, wishing that the pope get well soon. One boy with a boisterous group of blue-and-yellow capped “castorini,” or beavers, as children too young to be Cub Scouts are known in Italy, held a sign that said “Ciao Papa Cesco, I love you a lot.”
The pope did not appear, but he acknowledged the children’s presence in his traditional Sunday blessing and prayer.
“I know that many children are praying for me; some of them came here today to Gemelli as a sign of closeness,’’ the pontiff said in offering his traditional Sunday blessing, which was not delivered live for the fifth time. “Thank you, dearest children! The pope loves you and is always waiting to meet you,’’ Francis wrote.
The Rev. Enzo Fortunato, the president of the pontifical committee for World Children’s Day, who organized the gathering, said “children transmit joy” and their presence in the square was a “symbolic medicine for Pope Francis.”
The posters and letters will be saved and waiting for the pope when he returns to the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where the pontiff lives, Father Fortunato said, adding he was certain that the pope would personally respond to the messages when he’s able to.
Francis was admitted to the Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 with respiratory infections and bronchitis that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He suffered several setbacks, including mild kidney failure and a few respiratory crises. He was in critical condition until last Monday, when doctors said he was no longer in imminent danger of dying from pneumonia.
Even so, his condition remains complex because of his age — 88 — as well as his pre-existing lung disease. In 1957, Francis had part of his right lung removed.
His condition has been stable for the past week. The Vatican said Saturday that Francis still required “inpatient medical therapy, motor and respiratory physiotherapy,” treatments that “show further, gradual improvements.” The Vatican also said doctors were gradually reducing the need for noninvasive mechanical ventilation at night, substituting it with high-flow oxygen therapy.
In Sunday’s written address, Francis acknowledged his frailty.
“I am facing a period of trial, and I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: fragile, at this time, like me,” he said. “Our bodies are weak but, even like this, nothing can prevent us from loving, praying, giving ourselves, being for each other, in faith, shining signs of hope.”
In his teachings and messages, Francis has often had special words for children struggling because of war, famine, migration or poverty. In 2024 he celebrated the first World Children’s Day, which brought thousands of children to the Vatican. Last month, shortly before he was admitted to the hospital, he announced he would write an apostolic document dedicated to children.
“We think that the voice of children is the first voice to arrive to the heart of God, and they are praying for his recovery,” said Sister Mariella D’Ippolito, the national secretary of an organization of Roman Catholic schools, who came with some local children.
Some 50 children from Caivano, an impoverished town on the outskirts of Naples, woke up at dawn to be at the Gemelli.
“The pope for them is the pope of peace, he’s their hero in a contemporary world where heroes are in short supply,” said Andrea Iacomini, spokesman of Unicef Italy, who accompanied them.
Despite moments of drama and some tears, mostly involving flyaway balloons, the children appeared to have fun.
“The prayer of children and their affection for the pope is a great strength,” said Marco Impagliazzo, the president of the Community of St. Egidio, a Rome-based charity, which brought some 15 children from some of Rome’s roughest suburbs to the Gemelli. “They hope to see him again soon as we all do,” he said.