Priest Agustin Lopez leads a Mass for the health of Pope Francis at Caacupe church in the Carlos Mugica neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo

Catholic leaders called upon the faithful to pray for Pope Francis in Italy and his native Argentina on Wednesday, after the 88-year-old pontiff was diagnosed with pneumonia the previous day.

In Latin America, Francis remains well-liked, though favorability has dropped, particularly in Argentina, where it fell from 98% in 2013 to 74% in 2024. Despite declines, he continues to be viewed as a transformative figure.

Pope Francis remained at the Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday night in Rome still requiring supplemental oxygen. At 88, Francis has lived for decades with only part of his lungs after a respiratory infection prompted surgery in Argentina.

Catholic faithful in Argentina have been praying for Pope Francis' recovery. The pontiff, 88, who is from Argentina, remained in a critical condition on Sunday after he suffered a prolonged

Our community is living these days of apprehension in prayer,” said Father Fernando Laguna. “It’s the only way we can be close to the pope. It’s our way of sending him a big kiss and hug.”

Though some blood tests showed "initial, mild, kidney failure," doctors said it was under control. "The complexity of the clinical picture, and the necessary wait for drug therapies to provide some feedback,

CNN By Antonia Mortensen, Christopher Lamb and Sharon Braithwaite, CNN Rome (CNN) — Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for more than a week, had a peaceful night after suffering a respiratory crisis on Saturday,

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis, 88, was still in critical condition Sunday but “remains alert and well-oriented” and took part in Mass on Sunday morning. The Vatican said “some

Catholics across Argentina gather to pray for Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, as he battles a serious lung infection in Rome.