Filipino Catholics rally behind Pope Francis through prayers

Metro Manila, Philippines - The congregation at the Manila Cathedral turned prayer warriors Friday afternoon, Feb. 21, as they rallied behind Pope Francis who is confined for double pneumonia.

“We place Pope Francis in Your healing love through the doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who take care of him,” prayed Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula Jr.

An update from the Vatican stated that Francis pontiff showed improving condition after he was admitted at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14.

Dalia Umali, 65, attended the prayer vigil.

“It’s our obligation. He’s our pope, he’s our leader, saka talaga tayo talaga we have to pray for each other. ‘Yan lang ang lakas natin, prayers [We have to pray for each other. Prayers strengthen us],” Umali said.

Tourists also entered the Manila Cathedral at the heart of the historic Intramuros in Manila - many of them unaware of the prayer service.

“I think it seems really nice,” said Bessy Rus, an Australian tourist. “I like the community built in, I like eveyone singing together and praying together. That was good when I was Christian.”

The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic. The country has three active cardinals, namely Advincula, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Cardinal David, and Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization.