Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, has revealed that even non-believers join Catholics praying for Pope Francis’ recovery. The Pope has been hospitalised with bilateral pneumonia since 14 February.
According to Cardinal Koovakad, many non-believers appreciate and love Pope Francis and are concerned about his health. He made this statement during a Rosary prayer for the Pope’s health, which he presided over at the Vatican.
The cardinal noted that there have been moving expressions of solidarity and closeness from around the world, with many promising to pray for the Pope’s recovery. He invited people to entrust the health of the Holy Father and all the sick around the world to the maternal protection of Mary.
The Rosary prayer was broadcast live on screens in St. Peter’s Square, and the Pope followed it from the hospital. Cardinal Koovakad emphasized the importance of prayer, quoting the Book of Ecclesiastes, which says that the prayer of the poor reaches the ears of God.