Majority of Catholic churches in Kenya, Vatican and beyond took a moment Sunday to pray for Pope Francis, who has been ailing for several days now.

Pope Francis, 88, who is the Head of Catholic Church globally, has been hospitalised for nine days and outpouring of goodwill messages and prayers continue to stream in from religious leaders, faithful around the world and political leaders alike.

The Pope, who is admitted at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, is reportedly being treated to ‘respiratory crisis’, with the Holy See press Office issuing daily updates of his condition.

On Sunday morning the Holy See Press Office reported that Pope Francis had a peaceful ninth night in hospital where he is being treated for double pneumonia.

Malindi Diocese Bishop, Willybard Lagho sent a message of goodwill to the Pope, wished him quick recovery and appealed for calm as he recovers.

“He (Pope) is a man of great resilience, during this period we appeal for calm and ask the faithful to continue praying for him… sickness is human and there is no need for tension, we should come together and pray for him,” he said.

The Catholic Mirror, which highlights activities of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the church on Facebook, also wished him well.

“We pray for the Holy Father Pope Francis as he continues to receive treatment in hospital,” KCCB posted on Facebook.

And for the first time since he was taken ill, Vatican News reported that the Pope urged the Holy See Press office to issue a statement regarding war in Ukraine.

“During his Angelus address, which Pope Francis asked Holy See Press Office to release while he is in the hospital, the Pope remembers the imminent three-year anniversary of the War in Ukraine, calling it “a painful and shameful occasion for all humanity’,” the Vatican News reported.

On a day that the Catholic readings of the day reflected on ‘forgiveness, loving enemies and doing good’, the Pope X platform which boasts of about 18.3 million followers was updated, several days after being ‘silent’ since he was admitted.

“I urge you to continue your apostolate with joy and to be a sign of a love that embraces everyone, as the gospel of the day suggests. May we transform evil into goodness and build a fraternal world. Do not be afraid to take risks for love!” read a post on hs X handle.

He also took time to appreciate the messages he has been receiving and the consoling prayers he has received from all over the world.

“I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children. Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!” he added.

On Saturday, the Holy See Press Office stated that the Pope experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high flow oxygen.

“The Pope also required blood transfusions. He (Pope) remains alert and spent the day in an armchair although he is in more pain than yesterday,” the press office reported.

At the same time, the Vatican News reported that Italian Prelate Archbishop Rino Fisichella Sunday read the Pope’s homily, while celebrating holy mass for jubilee of deacons, that urged them to be apostles of forgiveness, selfless servants and builders of communion.

“Brothers and sisters, and especially you, dear deacons, and you who will soon enter the sacred order of the diaconate through the laying on of hands…It is a particular joy for me to read the homily that Pope Francis himself would have delivered to all of you on this special Sunday,” the Vatican News reported Fisichella’s message.

United Conference of Catholic Bishops have also issued a prayer to the Pope.

“O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful, look favorably on your servant Francis, whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd,” they wrote.

“Grant, we pray, that by word and example he may be of service to those over whom he presides so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care, he may come to everlasting life,” they added.

A papal conclave elected Pope Francis as the Catholic Church in 2013. He has suffered numerous health issues in recent years, and underwent major surgery in 2021 and 2023.