Nostradamus was said to have made a prediction over hundreds of years ago, as fears continue over the pontiff’s condition.

The leader of the remains in a critical condition with blood tests showing early kidney failure. The 88-year-old pontiff managed to attend Mass from the hospital on Sunday, to the delight of his followers.

However he may not have long left to live - at least according to , who made more than 900 predictions during his life in the 1500s. He reportedly said: “Through the death of a very old Pontiff… a Roman of good age will be elected. Of him it will be said that he weakens his see… but long will he sit and in biting activity."

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Earlier blood tests on the Pope showed "initial, mild, ," but doctors said it was under control. The decreased platelet count, necessary for clotting, that was first detected on Saturday was stable, reports the .

Earlier today, a message was posted from the Pope's social media accounts, thanking everyone who reached out with messages of support. It read: "I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children. Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the !"

Francis was supposed to celebrate Mass on Sunday morning in St. Peter's Basilica last weekend, and ordained deacons as part of the Vatican's yearlong Holy Year commemoration, however he was rushed to the hospital instead. The organiser of the Holy Year, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, celebrated the Mass in his place and offered a special prayer for Francis from the altar before delivering the homily the Pope had prepared.

Archbishop Fisichella told the hundreds of white-robed deacons: “Even though he is in a hospital bed, we feel Pope Francis close to us. We feel him present among us."

The Pope’s most recent post on social media says: “I have recently received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children. Thank you for your closeness, and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the .”

, also known as Michel de Nostredame, died in 1566. A number of his prophecies from his book Les Propheties seem to have come true over the years after it was released more than 450 years ago. Among them was the rise of , the shooting of President John F Kennedy, the start of the Covid pandemic, and 2022's cost of living crisis.