Scotland’s First Minister has said “all of us are praying for the wellbeing of Pope Francis”, after it was revealed the head of the Catholic Church was in the early stages of kidney failure.
Pope Francis is said to be resting, 11 days after being admitted to hospital for a complex lung infection.
It was revealed the 88-year-old remains in critical condition but that he had not experienced any further respiratory crises since Saturday.
Doctors have said Francis’ condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease.
On Tuesday morning, the Vatican’s typically brief morning update said: “The pope slept well, all night.”
John Swinney said he was “praying” for the Pope.
iStockHe told STV News, “All of us are praying for the well-being of Pope Francis. It is clear he is facing some very acute health challenges.
“He has obviously received very good and high-quality care, but there are serious implications for his health, and we pray for his health and his wellbeing.
“I know members of the Catholic community right across the world will be praying for Pope Francis at this very challenging and difficult time.”
The Pope was well enough on Monday to meet in the hospital with the Vatican secretary of state and his deputy to approve new decrees of candidates for possible sainthood, officials have said.
The Vatican’s Tuesday noon bulletin announced that Francis had approved decrees for five people for beatification and two for canonisation.
The Vatican statement also said that during the audience with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and his deputy, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, Francis had “decided to convene a consistory about the future canonisations”.
Such an audience and decision is par for the course when Francis is at the Vatican.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
