Parolin dismissed such speculation as entirely “useless,” emphasizing that the only thing that truly mattered was the health and well-being of Pope Francis, his ongoing recovery, and his eventual return to the Vatican. He stressed that the focus should remain on the Pope’s healing process rather than engaging in unnecessary conjecture. “On the other hand,” Parolin continued, “I think it is quite normal that in these kinds of situations, some uncontrolled rumors can spread or certain misplaced comments might be uttered. This is certainly not the first time something like this has happened, and it’s a common occurrence in such circumstances.” He added, “However, I don’t think there is any particular movement or significant activity behind these rumors, and so far, I haven’t heard anything that would suggest otherwise.”
Meanwhile, deacons from around the world were gathering at the Vatican for their special Holy Year weekend, a significant event in the Catholic calendar. Pope Francis fell ill at the beginning of the Vatican’s Holy Year, a once-every-quarter-century celebration that holds great importance for the Catholic Church. This weekend, Francis was originally scheduled to celebrate the deacons, who represent a ministry in the church that precedes ordination to the priesthood. His absence was deeply felt, as he had been expected to play a central role in the festivities.
In his place, the Holy Year organizer will lead Sunday’s Mass, according to the Vatican. For the second consecutive weekend, Pope Francis will also miss his traditional Sunday noon blessing, a moment that many faithful look forward to each week. While it had been possible for him to deliver the blessing from the Gemelli hospital if he were feeling well enough, his condition has not yet allowed for this.
Despite his physical absence, the deacons and other attendees expressed their unwavering support and connection to the Pope. Luis Arnaldo López Quirindongo, a deacon from Ponce, Puerto Rico, who was present at the Vatican on Saturday for the Jubilee celebration, shared his thoughts. “Look, even though he’s not physically here with us, we know he’s here in spirit,” he said. “He’s in the process of recovering, but he remains in our hearts and is accompanying us in every way. Our prayers and his are united, and we feel his presence through our shared faith and devotion.” The sentiment among the attendees was one of solidarity and hope, as they continued to pray for the Pope’s swift recovery and return to his duties.