Cameroon Bishops Convene Special Mass to Pray for Pope’s Recovery

The National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) has convened a special mass for Roman Catholic clergy and Christians to jointly pray for Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for two weeks now.

The prayers will take place Monday, March 3, at 12 noon, in the Basilica of Mary Queen of the Apostles of Mvolyé in Yaounde, according to a statement from NECC President, Archbishop Andrew Nkea.

The Archbishop of Bamenda invited Catholic faithful to take part in the mass whose intention is to pray for a speedy recovery for Pope Francis.

“It will be a moment of special spiritual communion with the Holy Father, to show him our compassion in his trial which is also that of the whole Church,” His Grace Andrew Nkea wrote.

Pope Francis has received an outpour of prayers from dioceses across the world since doctors diagnosed him with severe pneumonia in both lungs.

He has been at the Gemelli hospital in Rome since February 14, marking his longest hospital stay since he replaced Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.

In its daily update on the Pope’s health this Friday morning, the Vatican said “the night was tranquil and the Pope now is resting.”

This was after they said on Thursday that the Pope was getting better.

In an informal conversation with the UK-based news outlet Independent, a Vatican official said the Pope can now eat on his own and move around his room.

But he continues to receive oxygen, though he can breathe on his own. A double inflammation in the Pope’s lungs had made breathing difficult.

The Vatican also said in its Friday update that his clinical condition has continued to improve but the situation remains “complex”.