YEAR OF MERCY

A VISIT BY POPE FRANCIS

We share the wisdom of Pope Francis when he recently visited a children's hospital.

SICK CHILDREN

Pope Francis has said that one of the highlights of his recent visit to Poland for World Youth Day was meeting the young patients in the Children’s University Hospital in Prokocim, Krakow. When he arrived he said that he wanted to spend time with every sick child there, to stand beside their bed and embrace them. He wanted to hear each child’s questions, even if for only a moment, and to be still in the face of their questions which have no easy answers. And he wanted to pray for them.

LOVE AND CARE

Pope Francis described how the Gospels show us Jesus seeking out those who were sick, and embracing them. Jesus always treated them in the same way that a mother would look after her sick child, and He was moved by His love and compassion for them. The Pope went on to say that he would like all Christians to love and care for the sick as Jesus did. Embracing them and sitting with them in silence and in prayer.

HOPE

He described how our society is unfortunately tainted by a culture of waste, which is the opposite of the culture of acceptance. The victims of the culture of waste are those who are the weakest and most frail. He said that it was beautiful to see in contrast, how in the children’s hospital, the smallest and most needy are welcomed and accepted. He saw it as a sign of love and hope that those who are the most disadvantaged were being loved and cared for.

WORKS OF MERCY

He encouraged us all to reach out to those who are in need. Because when we serve with love and tenderness the people who need our help, it makes us all grow in humanity and holiness and opens before us the way to eternal life. Those who engage in works of mercy need not fear death. He urged all Christians to remember the call to visit the sick in this Year of Mercy.