Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital last Friday with bronchitis, but it later developed into pneumonia in both lungs, sparking widespread alarm.

Catholic faithful in the Philippines held prayers on Friday for Pope Francis in an hour-long vigil at the Manila Cathedral as the pontiff continues to recover in hospital.

Even as Pope Francis spent his eighth day in a Rome hospital battling pneumonia, reports oscillated between hope and concern. The Archdiocese of Bombay has circulated a communication amongst Mumbai parishes titled ‘Requesting prayers for the speedy recovery of Pope Francis’.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula is inviting Catholics to join the “Holy Hour” on Friday at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros for the healing of Pope Francis, who was hospitalized due to double pneumonia.