Dozens of children pray for Pope Francis' recovery as he remains in hospital

Pope Francis continues his recovery from double pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli hospital and issued the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer as a written text for the fifth straight week.

The pope typically delivers the Angelus from a window overlooking St Peter’s Square to the gathered faithful, who have grown more numerous due to the Jubilee year that Francis inaugurated in December.

Along with a stop at St Peter’s to seek indulgences by walking through the basilica’s Holy Door, pilgrims are now also adding a stop at Gemelli, some 15 minutes away from the Vatican by car.

In Sunday's prayer, Pope Francis acknowledged the dozens of children toting yellow and white balloons who had gathered outside Gemelli to pray for his recovery.

“I know that many children are praying for me; some of them came here today to Gemelli as a sign of closeness,’’ the pontiff said in the Angelus text prepared for the traditional prayer but not delivered live again.

“Thank you, dearest children! The pope loves you and is always waiting to meet you,’’ Francis said.

The event was organised by Reverend Enzo Fortunato, president of the pontifical committee for World Children's Day. He said that the gathering of children with their parents was as a form of spiritual medicine for the 88-year-old pontiff, calling it ‘’the most beautiful caress.’’

“The children represent a symbolic medicine for Pope Francis,’’ Fortunato said. ‘’Letting him know that so many children are here for him cheers the heart.’’

They included 20 children accompanied by the St. Egidio charity and 50 children accompanied by UNICEF.

Thousands of runners taking part in this year's Rome Marathon on Sunday also paid tribute to the pope. They stood for 42 seconds in silence for Pope Francis, one