Argentines pray for Pope Francis' health at Buenos Aires cathedral Mass

(23 Feb 2025) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Buenos Aires, Argentina - 23 February 2025 1. Exterior of Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral 2. Mass begins as faithful pray standing 3. Presbyter Alejandro Russo of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral, asks the faithful to pray for the church and for Pope Francis's health 4. Faithful praying 5. Faithful making the sign of the cross on their faces 6. Russo speaking to faithful during the Mass 7. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Alejandro Russo, Presbyter of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral: "We stand by the Pope in this moment, but we also pray with all the church, that he can recover so he can continue working on the mission God has given to him when he was elected as Bishop of Rome, and leader of the universal church." 8. Choir singing as Alejandro Russo and aides pray 9. Man standing and praying 10. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lucia Vidal, retired nurse who knew Pope Francis from the hospital she worked at: "My greatest wish is for him to recover, to return to his work, despite all the problems he has. But I do not dream about him ever coming to Argentina, because when he could do it, he didn't come. Now it's difficult for him to come, and his colleagues won't allow it also, because his health is weak." 11. Russo spreading incense during the Mass 12. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Lucy Guerra, Catholic from Ecuador: "We are visiting Argentina, and like all the Christians, we are worried about the health of our Holy Father. So we came to gather here and pray for his quick recovery. We hope it will be done." 13. Mass ending as Russo asks Virgin Mary to pray for Pope Francis STORYLINE: Catholics in Buenos Aires attended Mass on Sunday to pray for Pope Francis' recovery. The hospitalization of the 88-year-old pope due to a severe lung infection has prompted thousands of faithful worldwide to pray for his recovery, especially in Argentina, where he was born. On Sunday, dozens of Argentines gathered in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral to pray for the pontiff and to remember when one of their own became pope. His home country celebrated it like a World Cup soccer victory. Homilies for Pope Francis are being held across the country, and on Monday, large crowds are expected in Plaza Constitución for a Mass. Francis, or Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as he was then known, used to mingle in the square with the poor, the homeless, and those displaced by Argentina’s recurring economic crises. Shows of support in Argentina and other parts of Latin America included the projection of his image onto the Buenos Aires Obelisk, as well as onto the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, among other locations. AP video by Cristian Kovadloff =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...