I’m following, like many around the world, the twice-daily news bulletins regarding the health of Pope Francis. It’s the rather morbose interest of some (and some fake news too), however, that has set me thinking.

Yes, of course, I am concerned about the Pope’s health. The Supreme Pontiff is an elderly gentleman, 88 years old, with known chronic problems to his lungs, going through a critical moment from a health point of view. Any disease at 88 can be life threatening, more so multiple infections at once. I trust, however, that he is getting the best healthcare possible in the good hands of the doctors.

I too pray for the Pope. But I wonder if some of the prayers these days have really been for the Pope and his wellbeing. At times, it seems that those praying are more concerned with their own fears and their agendas. Whether they’re somehow terrified at the prospect of a change of Pope (who knows what the next one might be up to?), or whether they are rubbing their hands with glee at the idea the Pope Francis might be called to meet his Maker or, at least, resign.

May I ask: where is your faith? Who governs the Church: is it the Pope or the Almighty? Was it John Paul, Benedict, or Francis that you place your trust in, or the good Lord? Aren’t the popes of flesh and blood, whose great merits we may recognise, but whose many limits are there for all to see? I trust that the Church is always greater, the See of Peter is always more important that the incumbent, and that the good Lord will provide for the Church. Always. (Often in very strange way, granted.)

So, I pray willingly for Pope Francis, but freely, no strings attached. That the good Lord may grant him serenity in this moment, that he may live this time more than ever in the hands of the Lord (to paraphrase Fr Arrupe), and — God willing — he may recover from this bout of illness. For his own sake. (As for the Church, I trust it is in good hands, not Francis’, but WAY higher up.)