Angelus - Pope Francis from the Gemelli Hospital: "I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: Our bodies are weak but, even like this, nothing can prevent us from loving and praying"

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - In the Transfiguration, "Jesus shows the disciples what is hidden behind the gestures He performs in their midst: the light of His infinite love," reads Pope Francis's text for the Angelus prayer, published by the Vatican this Sunday, referring to the Gospel for the second Sunday of Lent.

"I am sharing these thoughts with you," the Pope writes, "while I am facing a period of trial, and I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: fragile, at this time, like me. Our bodies are weak but, even like this, nothing can prevent us from loving, praying, giving ourselves, being for each other, in faith, shining signs of hope."

"How much light shines," the Bishop of Rome continues in his reflections, "in this sense, in hospitals and places of care! How much loving care illuminates the rooms, the corridors, the clinics, the places where the humblest services are performed! That is why I would like to invite you, today, to join me in praising the Lord, who never abandons us and who, in times of sorrow, places people beside us who reflect a ray of His love."

The Pope, whose condition is slowly but steadily improving according to medical reports, thanks "everyone for your prayers" and, he writes, "those who assist me with such dedication. I know that many children are praying for me; some of them came here today to “Gemelli” as a sign of closeness. Thank you, dearest children! The Pope loves you and is always waiting to meet you."

In the morning, around 500 children gathered in the square forecourt of the Gemelli Hospital, where the statue of John Paul II stands. This was a delegation of children of many nationalities, supported by UNICEF and the Caritas office of the Diocese of Aversa, who expressed their affection for the Pope in this way.

From the hospital, Pope Francis asked again to continue "to pray for peace, especially in the countries wounded by war: tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo". (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/3/2025)

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