On Tuesday night, the faithful from Francis’ homeland gathered in the Argentine church of Rome for a special Mass presided over by Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, the pope’s vicar for Rome. Reina was also celebrating the lunchtime Mass on Wednesday at Gemelli to pray for Francis.

Pope Francis remained in critical condition as Argentines and Romans gathered in the Eternal City to pray for his recovery from double pneumonia.

The Vatican says Pope Francis, who is hospitalized in critical condition with double pneumonia, was well enough to meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin.