"I thank you with all my heart for the prayers you offer for my health from [St. Peter’s] Square. I accompany you from here. May God bless you, and may the Virgin protect you. Thank you."

Pope Francis' message of thanks, recorded in Spanish, for the many testimonies of love and closeness that he has received since being admitted to hospital on 14 February, was broadcast in St. Peter’s Square at 9;00pm Rome at the beginning of the Rosary prayer, led on Friday evening by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-prefect of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life.

Starting on Monday, 24 February, thousands of believers have joined the Cardinals residing in Rome, along with all collaborators of the Roman Curia and the Diocese of Rome, in St. Peter‘s Square to recite the Holy Rosary for the health of Pope Francis, who is being treated for pneumonia in the Gemelli Hospital.

Pope has a restful night in hospital

"The Pope had a restful night and woke up shortly after 8:00," the Holy See Press Office explained in a statement to journalists on Friday morning.

On Thursday, Pope Francis' condition remained stable, without "any episodes of respiratory insufficiency." The Holy See Press Office stated that "given the stability of his clinical condition, the next medical bulletin will be issued on Saturday."

During the day on Thursday, the Pope continued with both his "respiratory and motor physiotherapy with beneficial effects" and did not have a fever. He also alternated between rest and work

Before the beginning of the nightly Rosary held in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis sent an audio message. In it, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude for all the prayers and expressions of closeness he has received. He extended a blessing to everyone and reminded them he is accompanying them from the hospital.