NEWS
His Holiness Pope Francis makes first public greeting and blessing from hospital
His Holiness Pope Francis appears for the first time since his hospitalization from the balcony of Rome's Gemelli Hospital, before leaving the facility where he had been since 14 February. He greeted those present, imparted his blessing and gave the 'thumbs up' to the nearly three thousand people gathered in the square below who were applauding his appearance and release from hospital.
His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II accepts the invitation of the Sheikh al-Aql of the Druze community to attend an official Iftar banquet at the community's headquarters in Beirut
On the evening of Friday, March 21, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, attended the Iftar banquet hosted by Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna, Sheikh al-Aql of the Druze community, at the Druze Community House in Beirut.
Holy Mass in the Memory of Late Archbishop Mor Athanasius Matti MATTOKA
His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church of Antioch and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, will celebrate the Holy Mass in the Memory of Late Archbishop Mor Athanasius Matti MATTOKA, on Tuesday March 25, 2025, 09:00 a.m., at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Church, Patriarchal See, Beirut.
His Holiness Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital on Sunday
His Holiness Pope Francis is scheduled to be discharged from hospital on Sunday, 23 March. He will return to Casa Santa Marta after the Angelus, during which he will greet and bless the faithful from a window of the Gemelli Hospital at noon.
By Linda Bordoni
Pope Francis will be discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Sunday and he will return to his residence in the Vatican to continue his convalescence.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday evening, Doctor Sergio Alfieri, head of the Gemelli Hospital medical team that has been treating the Pope for an acute respiratory tract infection and bilateral pneumonia said “The good news the world and everyone is waiting for is that tomorrow the Holy Father will be discharged. Tomorrow he will return to Santa Marta.”
His Holiness Pope Francis to greet crowd at Gemelli on Sunday
The Holy See Press Office announces His Holiness Pope Francis is scheduled to appear after 12pm to greet the crowd outside Gemelli.
By Vatican News
On Saturday morning, the Holy See Press Office announced the Pope is planning to greet the crowd outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital and give his blessing on Sunday, March 23, shortly after 12pm. The statement said the text of the Angelus will be shared as it has been the last few weeks.
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II presided over the morning prayer at Mor Severius Church in the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon
On March 21, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, presided over the morning prayer at Mor Severius Church in the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon.
His Holiness Pope Francis is improving and increasingly uses less high-flow oxygen
While the His Holiness Pope Francis’s condition continues to be stable, the Holy See Press Office explains “the doctors have not yet given any indication regarding his discharge from the hospital.”
By Vatican News
On Friday evening, the Holy See Press Office released the following update on Pope Francis’ health:
“At night, he no longer uses mechanical ventilation with a mask but receives high-flow oxygenation through nasal cannulas, and during the day, he increasingly uses less high-flow oxygen.”
His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II attends the official Iftar banquet invited by His Excellency General Joseph Aoun, President of the Lebanese Republic
On the evening of Thursday, March 20, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, attended the official Iftar banquet invited by His Excellency General Joseph Aoun, President of the Lebanese Republic, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon.
Meditation Of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa : III Sunday Of Lent, C
The passage from the Gospel for this third Sunday of Lent (Lk 13:1-9) focuses on a fundamental theme of the Lenten journey: conversion.
For Lent is also this, a time that is given to us so that we can convert again.
It is Jesus himself who mentions this in the first part of the passage (Lk 13:1-5) in response to some un-known people who come to Jesus to give him dramatic news: some Galileans who had come to Jerusalem to pray were executed by Pilate as they were offering their sacrifices.
A disturbing fact that allows for a religious interpretation: Violent death was indeed a sign of God’s punish-ment for a sin committed.
His Holiness Pope Francis’s Vocation Day message: Our mission is to be Christ’s presence to all
His Holiness Pope Francis releases his message for the upcoming World Day of Prayer for Vocations, and invites young people to listen to God’s voice in their hearts so they may be signs of His love for our world.
By Devin Watkins
As he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis has released his message for the 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which falls this year on May 11.
Entitled “Pilgrims of Hope: The Gift of Life,” the Pope’s message recalls that every vocation—be it to ordained ministry, consecrated life, or the laity—should offer the world a sign of God’s hope for every person.
His Holiness Pope Francis no longer requires mechanical ventilation
The Holy See Press Office announces that His Holiness Pope Francis no longer requires mechanical ventilation at night, and has less need of high-flow oxygen therapy during the day. His motor and respiratory physiotheraphy is also making progress.
By Vatican News
On Wednesday evening, the Holy See Press Office released the following update on Pope Francis’ health:
“The Holy Father's clinical condition is confirmed to be improving. The Holy Father has suspended non-invasive mechanical ventilation and also has less need of high-flow oxygen therapy. Motor and respiratory physiotherapy is continuing to make progress.”
H.H. Pope Tawadros II Participates in the Armed Forces' Iftar Banquet in the Presence of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark participated on Monday evening in the Iftar banquet organized by the Armed Forces, which was attended by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of the Republic, along with senior state officials.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrates the Holy Feast of Abba Gerasimus of the Jordan
From the Secretariat-General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
On Monday, March 4th/17th, 2025, the Patriarchate celebrated the memory of Saint Gerasimus of the Jordan at the sacred Monastery dedicated to his name, located in the valley of the Jordan, on its western bank near Jericho.
His Holiness Pope Francis's clinical condition continues to show slight improvements
The Holy See Press Office reports on the His Holiness Pope Francis's health condition, noting slight improvements in his respiratory and motor functions.
Vatican News
Last night, Pope Francis did not require mechanical ventilation. This was one of the updates shared by the Holy See Press Office with journalists on Tuesday evening, 18 March, regarding the Pope’s health condition. He is receiving care at Rome's Gemelli Hospital where he was admitted on 14 February for a respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia.
His Beatitude Patriarch John X from Balamand: "The journey of Great Lent is a journey of light and purification."
Balamand, March 16, 2025
His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, emphasized the significance and sanctity of the days of Great Lent. His words came during the Sunday liturgy he presided over at the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand. The liturgy was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Tarek Mitri.
His Holiness Pope Francis remains in stable condition with slight improvement
His Holiness Pope Francis is using high-flow oxygen therapy less frequently. The swelling in his hand, seen in the photo taken and published yesterday, has already improved.
Vatican News
On Monday evening, 17 March, the Holy See Press Office issued the following medical update on Pope Francis who is receiving care at Rome's Gemelli Hospital:
The Pope's condition is stable with slight improvements thanks to respiratory and motor therapy.
His Holiness Pope Francis approves convocation of post-synodal Ecclesial Assembly in 2028
His Holiness Pope Francis officially initiates a new phase in the Church’s synodal journey by approving an accompaniment process that will culminate in an Ecclesial Assembly in 2028.
By Isabella Piro
Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary General of the Synod’s General Secretariat, has announced the convocation of a special post-synodal Ecclesial Assembly to be held in the Vatican in October 2028 as the culmination of a three-year process accompanying the implementation of the outcomes of the Synod.
In a letter addressed to all Bishops and Eparchs, along with the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches, Cardinal Grech explained that the assembly will not be a new Synod.
His Holiness Pope Francis remains in stable condition, shows gradual improvements from therapies
His Holiness Pope Francis continues high-flow oxygen therapy, progressively reducing the need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation during the night. The Pope still requires hospital medical care, as well as physiotherapy and respiratory physiotherapy.
Vatican News
On Saturday evening, 15 March, the Holy See Press Office issued the following medical update on Pope Francis who is receiving care at Rome's Gemelli Hospital:
The clinical condition of the Holy Father remains stable, confirming the progress observed in the past week. High-flow oxygen therapy continues, progressively reducing the need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation during the night.
His Holiness Pope Francis’ condition remains stable as recovery progresses
Given the Holy Father's stable condition, doctors have not issued a medical bulletin on Friday evening. Noting that this is a "a positive sign" the Holy See Press Office thus informs that medical updates will be less frequent.
Vatican News
There are no significant developments in the clinical condition of His Holiness Pope Francis, who remains stable. For this reason, his medical team has decided not to release the scheduled bulletin on Friday evening.
His Holiness Pope Francis celebrates 12th anniversary with healthcare staff at Gemelli hospital
His Holiness Pope Francis celebrates the 12th anniversary of his pontificate with the medical staff of Rome's Gemelli Hospital, as he continues to follow the annual Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia.
By Vatican News
The Holy See Press Office updated reporters on the Pope’s condition on Thursday evening, as he marked the 12th anniversary of his election to the papacy.
In the afternoon, the medical staff brought a cake with candles to the Pope's room.