Pope Francis has sent a message to 1.2 billion Catholics across the world after the Vatican confirmed he was in a critical condition. The 88-year-old is being treated for pneumonia in both lungs and chronic bronchitis at the Catholic Gemelli Hospital in Rome where he was admitted almost 10 days ago.

In his Angelus message delivered from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis expressed gratitude to medical staff and called for prayers for Ukraine.

The Gemelli hospital has been treating popes for more than thirty years.