Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, will lead a public recitation of the rosary at 9 p.m. Feb. 24 in St. Peter’s Square.

Loving God: As Francis, our beloved pope, suffers from grave illnesses, we come before you in prayer.

Pope Francis’ hospital stay is raising obvious questions about what happens if he loses consciousness for a prolonged period, or whether he might follow in Pope Benedict XVI’s footsteps and resign if he becomes unable to lead.

The severe breathing crisis that Francis experienced on Feb. 22 has been overcome. The pope is not sedated. He is seated in an armchair and eating normally.

Pope Francis has had a severe breathing crisis today that required giving him high-flow oxygen and blood transfusions.

A Reflection for Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time, by Jackson Goodman