Manila, Feb. 19 -- The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday asked the faithful to pray for Pope Francis who has been hospitalized since last week due to pneumonia.

"Prayers, Please. Pope Francis is currently hospitalized and is undergoing treatment for pneumonia. Despite his condition, doctors say he remains in good spirits and has expressed gratitude for the prayers he has received," CBCP president Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said in a Facebook post.

The Caloocan prelate said the Vatican has canceled all of the Pope's engagements as he battles the complex respiratory infection.

"May I ask for your prayers for his healing and recovery during this challenging time," David said.

Meanwhile, Apostolic Nunc...