Churches across Dallas on Sunday lifted up Pope Francis in prayer amid his ongoing health challenge and recent hospitalization, asking that he feel the healing power of the Holy Spirit.
Saturday, the Vatican announced the pope was in critical condition after he suffered a severe asthma attack. He received high flows of supplemental oxygen as well as a blood transfusion after tests showed low counts of platelets, which are needed for clotting.
Francis had already been in the hospital for about a week for treatment for a complex lung infection. The pontiff has a history of respiratory issues, which he will still have to live with if he is able to overcome his current infection.
At the noon Mass at Cathedral Guadalupe in downtown Dallas, Father Adam Musielak made a special announcement at the start of the service.
He shared news of the pope’s health issues and offered a prayer asking for guidance for the doctors and courage and grace for Francis.
A somber note hung over The Catholic Foundation’s annual celebratory dinner Saturday, which brought together hundreds of donors and leaders in local Catholic service programs. The evening’s program at the Hilton Anatole began with a prayer for the pope’s health.
Uriel Andrade, who grew up at Cathedral Guadalupe, said he has always appreciated the pope’s personable nature.
He added that he admired Francis’ commitment to living his life simply according to the teachings of St. Francis, the saint for whom he chose his papal name.
“His words of wisdom have always impacted me,” Andrade said. “He talks with very simple words that reach our heart.”
At the Saturday evening Mass at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, attendees shared similar thoughts about the pope’s legacy.
Dan Derdeyn, who has been attending St. Cecilia since 1963, lauded Francis’ pastoral nature. He said that while some of the other recent popes have been more focused on intellectual work, Francis has prioritized person-to-person interactions.
Derdeyn pointed to the adage, “If you want to be someone’s shepherd, you’ve got to smell like the sheep,” and said Francis has done this.
Another St. Cecilia parishioner, Letty Ramos, said the pope’s work advocating for immigrants has been particularly important to her family. Francis recently criticized President Donald Trump’s deportation policies and has long been vocal on the issue, visiting the U.S. and Mexico border in 2016.
She also said she’s grateful for the work he’s done to ensure the church is a safe environment for children, part of the church’s response to a widespread pattern of sexual abuse.
Ramos said that while she is very sad about his current condition, she knows Francis is in the best hands.
Some people expressed more concern about what Francis’ passing could mean. Claudia Larraza, wife of a deacon at St. Cecilia, said that his passing would be “devastating.”
“Especially with all these troubled times that we’re going through in the world, it would be horrible to lose our leader right now, our spiritual leader and father,” she said.
