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Weak-Sounding Pope Releases Audio Message From Hospital
It was the first time the world has heard Francis’s voice since the 88-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14.
Pope Francis recorded and released an audio message on Thursday thanking those who have been praying for his recovery, his voice breathless as he nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here,” Francis said in a message broadcast in St Peter’s Square.
“May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you,” he said, taking laboured breaths as he spoke in his native Spanish, with some words fading away into nothing.
It was the first time the world has heard Francis’s voice since the 88-year-old was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14.
Pilgrims have been gathering in St Peter’s Square every evening to pray for the pope’s recovery. The hundreds of people there on Thursday applauded when they heard his message.
The Vatican said earlier Thursday that the Argentine, head of the worldwide Catholic Church since 2013, is in a “stable” condition.
There had been no repeat of Monday’s respiratory failure, it said, and the pope’s blood work “remained stable”.
Francis continued with his breathing exercises and physiotherapy, did not have a fever, and managed to do a bit of work in both the morning and afternoon, it said.
The Vatican has been providing twice daily updates on the pope’s health, a morning one on how the night went, and an evening medical bulletin.
But on Thursday it said that “in view of the stability of the clinical picture, the next medical bulletin will be released on Saturday”.
Nonetheless, “the doctors are still maintaining a reserved prognosis”, it said, meaning they will not say how they expect his condition to evolve.
For the last three nights Francis — who had part of a lung removed as a young man — has worn an oxygen mask to help him sleep.
On Thursday morning, as on the previous day, he switched to a less onerous nasal cannula — a plastic tube tucking into his nostrils — which provides high-flow oxygen, a Vatican source said.
Francis missed the formal Ash Wednesday celebrations in Rome marking the start of Lent, but took part in a blessing in his private suite on the 10th floor of the Gemelli.
The leader of the world’s almost 1.4 billion Catholics has not been seen in public since his hospitalisation — the longest of his papacy.
Nor has the Vatican issued any photos, although Francis has published several texts.
‘Thoughts and prayers’
During previous hospitalisations, the pope appeared on the Gemelli balcony for his weekly Angelus prayer at noon on Sundays.
But he has missed the last three, and no announcement has yet been made about whether he will make an appearance this weekend.
The Vatican confirmed Thursday that senior cardinal Michael Czerny would stand in for the pope and lead the mass this weekend marking the first Sunday of Lent.
The mass was also part of celebrations for the Jubilee 2025, a Holy Year led by the pope, dedicated this weekend to volunteers.
The Holy See said Thursday the event “takes on an even deeper meaning, as the thoughts and prayers of all the brothers and sisters turn to the Holy Father and the experience he is going through”.
Pilgrims will pray in front of the hospital on Saturday, it said, as well-wishers have done since Francis was admitted.
The pope was initially diagnosed with bronchitis but it developed into pneumonia in both lungs, sparking alarm across the globe.
On February 22, he suffered a “prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis” and on February 28 had “an isolated crisis of bronchospasm” — a tightening of the muscles that line the airways in the lungs.
On Monday, Francis “experienced two episodes of acute respiratory failure, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm”, according to the Vatican.
Francis’s health has regularly led to speculation, particularly among his critics, as to whether he could resign like his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
AFP
Residents of Zamfara State have praised Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, for establishing Ramadan feeding centers across all 14 local government areas of the state, aimed at alleviating poverty during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Monday in Gusau, the spoke person of Zamfara APC AKIDA, comrade saminu isah kanoma, commended the initiative, describing it as a reflection of Matawalle’s deep commitment to the welfare of the people.
“This initiative is not just about providing meals; it is about compassion, generosity, and the spirit of unity that defines Ramadan,” Abubakar said.
“By ensuring that the less privileged have access to food for iftar, Dr. Matawalle has significantly eased the hardship faced by many families during this holy period.”
The feeding centers, which operate throughout Ramadan, provide meals for those in need, especially in communities struggling with economic challenges.
Residents and beneficiaries have expressed their gratitude, acknowledging that the effort has brought relief to many who might otherwise struggle to afford meals during the fasting period.
Since leaving office as Zamfara’s governor in 2023, Matawalle has continued to focus on social welfare programs.
Alongside the Ramadan initiative, he has launched empowerment programs for youths, elders, and women, offering financial support to small businesses as part of broader efforts to reduce poverty in the state.
According to kanoma, such initiatives are crucial in addressing both immediate hunger and long-term economic hardship in the region.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has issued a decisive deadline for the submission of the state’s 2025 budget.
His directive follows delays in re-presenting the budget, raising concerns over efficiency and governance. The governor has urged all responsible authorities to act promptly, warning that any further setbacks will not be tolerated.
Simultaneously, the Rivers State House of Assembly has granted the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) one last opportunity to appear before lawmakers. The decision comes after his repeated failure to honour previous summons, creating frustration among legislators.
During a tense parliamentary session, a prominent lawmaker called for patience while setting a strict deadline. “Let us give him one more chance, Mr Speaker,” the lawmaker urged. “I echo my colleagues’ sentiments—this is the final time we should debate this issue. He has 72 hours, just 72 hours. If he fails to appear by Monday, then we cannot blame anyone but him.”
However, their warning is clear: further delays will not be tolerated. Should the RSIEC Chairman fail to comply within the stipulated timeframe, serious repercussions could follow, including potential damage to public trust in the electoral body and the state’s governance system.
As tensions rise, all eyes remain on the RSIEC Chairman to see whether he will finally heed the Assembly’s call or face the consequences of continued non-compliance.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Gov. Sule Abdullahi of Nasarawa State has paid glowing tributes to Mr James Garba, a late former director of the Department of State Services, who was laid to rest in Kyari, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Sule, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, described the deceased as a man who lived a life of godliness, modesty and charity.
“There are special people in our lives who never leave us, even after they are gone, and such fittingly describes late James Garba.
“He was always rendering assistance and showing concern for others, without expecting praise or reward in return,” he stated.
In her tribute, wife of the deceased, Hadiza Garba, said her late husband was a humble man who always put the needs of others before his own.
According to her, she will remember her husband for his moral standards, integrity and intelligence which he stood him out a rare gem.
On her part, his eldest daughter, Dr Deborah Usman, instilled in her and her siblings the virtues of tolerance, honesty and the love of Christ.
Usman pledged to honour her late father’s memory by sustaining his legacy of peace, faith and love for community.
For Rev. John Hayab and Dr Bagat Job, Northern CAN chairman and ECWA president respectively, Garba would be remembered for his laudable contributions to the sustenance of peace in Ham land.
Also speaking, the Kpop Ham, Dr Danladi Maude, was a remarkable patriot who left an indelible mark on the lives of those who knew him.
Represented by Bello Shamaki, the district head of Daddu, the traditional ruler noted that Garba lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.
Garba died on February 20 at the age of 81 after a brief illness.
He was a pioneer staff of the Department of State Services who worked as part of the security detail of two past presidents before retiring in 1994.