Pope Francis is the spiritual father to the largest body of Christians worldwide and a source of unity, so “concern is so widespread throughout the world” as he remains in the hospital in critical condition, Father Sean Connolly, the pastor of the Parish of Saint Margaret of Cortona in the Bronx, New York, told Newsmax Sunday. 

“He is a successor to Saint Peter and that unique mission that Christ imparted to that apostle to confirm all of the brothers in the faith,” said Connolly on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America Weekend.” “And so we have a great concern for his health and well-being. Our prayers are with him.”

Connolly said he was “very privileged” to have once met the pope during a pilgrimage to Rome with members of his parish. 

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