Gretchen Ho attends Mass for Pope Francis organized by Filipinos in Rome
Gretchen Ho attends Mass for Pope Francis organized by Filipinos in Rome. | Image: X/@gretchenho
Broadcast journalist Gretchen Ho joined hundreds of Filipinos in Rome in a special Mass held for Pope Francis’ recovery amid his ongoing battle with bilateral pneumonia.
Ho shared photos of the religious ceremony on her X account (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, March 5, the start of the Lenten period.
In the snaps, the TV host was photographed participating in the offertory.
“Feeling blessed,” she captioned the post. “At the Lenten recollection and mass for Pope Francis, organized by the Filipino community here in Rome.”
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In her Instagram Stories, Ho thanked the nuns who helped her secure tickets for the Mass.
“Mass is ticketed. Limited audience. Thanks to the nuns who helped us get in,” she wrote alongside an image of the ticket.
Image: Instagram/@gretchenho
The media personality also shared a short clip of how the Vatican celebrates Ash Wednesday, capturing cardinals, archbishops and bishops in attendance.
Image: Instagram/@gretchenho
“Cardinal de Donatis presiding, in lieu of the Pope. He read Pope Francis homily for Ash Wednesday. ‘Death imposes itself as a reality with which we have to reckon.’” she shared.
Image: Instagram/@gretchenho
Pope Francis was recently hospitalized due to pneumonia in both lungs. As of writing, his condition remains stable, according to the Vatican.
Despite his health battle, the Pope participated in the rite of the blessing of the sacred qshes on Ash Wednesday.
“Afterwards, he engaged in several work activities. During the morning, he also called Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza,” shared the Vatican.
Meanwhile, the cast of the Vatican thriller “Conclave,” which took home the Best Ensemble trophy at the 2025 SAG Awards, previously extended their well-wishes to the ailing Pope Francis.
