Catholics in the Coachella Valley “hoping for a miracle” amid Pope Francis’ health worries
Catholics across the world – and in the Coachella Valley – continue offering their prayers for Pope Francis as he continues to stay in the hospital amid ongoing health struggles.
The Vatican said that Pope Francis has shown slight improvement today, though he remains in critical condition.
"No episodes of asthma-like respiratory distress occurred today, and some laboratory tests have shown improvement. The monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency has not raised any concerns. Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen levels."
Staff at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in La Quinta say the clergy has been asking worshipers to pray for the pontiff since last week. As his health condition has worsened, the church says many churchgoers are "hoping for a miracle" for his health to improve.
Lifelong Catholics, like Nada Prskalo, says she prays for the Pope's health daily: "I go to mass every day, every morning. And we do pray every morning and mass for pope's health and well-being and for his intentions."
While Catholics like Prskalo are hoping for the best, they say ultimately, Pope Francis's health is not up to them.
"I wish the pope all the best, and I do hope that God's will will be done in his life. And if it's God's will, he will recover. And if not, he will go to Heaven where we're all going to be someday," Prskalo says.
Local Catholic ministries, like Magnificat, an international Catholic ministry for women that has two chapters in the Coachella Valley, share the same sentiment.
The coordinator for the ministry's central service team, Donna Ross, says she trusts "God's perfect and holy will for the Holy Father. And if that means for him to have a, you know, a tremendous recovery, so be it. You know, I think everyone would be very happy. But on the other hand, I don't know what God's plans are."
News Channel Three reached out to the San Bernardino Diocese for comment, but did not receive an answer.
We'll continue to be tracking Pope Francis's health here on KESQ. Be sure to stay with us for the latest updates.
