Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The text of the Angelus was released today, the second Sunday of Lent, even though Pope Francis remains hospitalised at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
“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,” says the pontiff in his address.
Although the latest medical report says that his clinical conditions remain “stable”, the treatment shows some “gradual improvements", the Holy See Press Office announced last night.
“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,” reads the Angelus message for people who are ill.
“How much light shines, 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!”
From his hospital bed, the pope reminds the faithful that “the Lord [. . .] never abandons us and [. . .] in times of sorrow, places people beside us who reflect a ray of His love.”
“I thank you all for your prayers, and I thank those who assist me with such dedication,” a grateful pontiff says. “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”.
Since 14 February, scores of messages have been left for the ailing pontiff at the statue dedicated to Pope John Paul II located at the entrances of the Gemelli Hospital. Called “Don’t be afraid!” (Non abbiate paura), the figure, work of the Tuscan sculptor Stefano Pierotti, has become the symbol of the Roman medical facility since it was installed in 2009.
As he has done many times before, the pope also issued another plea for peace. “Let us 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.
Turning his thoughts to the Church, he called on the faithful to “also pray for the Church, required to translate into concrete choices the discernment made in the recent Synodal Assembly. I thank the General Secretariat of the Synod, which over the coming three years will accompany the local Churches in this undertaking”.
At the start of the message, Francis gave his commentary on the Word of the day (Lk 9:28b-36).
The “Gospel tells us about the Transfiguration of Jesus (Lk 9:28-36). Having climbed to the top of a mountain with Peter, James and John, Jesus immerses Himself in prayer and becomes radiant with light.” Thus, “He shows the disciples what is hidden behind the gestures He performs in their midst: the light of His infinite love,” which the pontiff glimpses in “places of care".
In concluding, Francis calls on “the Virgin Mary [to] keep you and help you to be, like Her, bearers of Christ’s light and peace.”
