New Jersey’s Catholics were united in prayer Sunday while Pope Francis remains in critical condition.

Parishioners gathered for Sunday mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark to pray to Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church for the past 12 years. He was admitted to a hospital in Rome on Feb. 14 after having trouble breathing for several days and later diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

The Vatican described his condition as critical, saying that the 88-year-old needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions following the "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis."

Churchgoers say they are keeping him in their thoughts and prayers.

"I just can't believe it. For most of my life, he has been the pope for me...I prayed before I went to sleep yesterday. I am hoping for the best," said Xavier Sousabraandao, from Kearny.

"We are in deep prayer for him…He is such a perfect leader. He reaches out to not just one set of people but to all people," said Everlyn Hay of Newark.

This isn't the first time Pope Francis has suffered illnesses. He is particularly prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.