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Pope Francis Greeting to children being treated at the pediatric oncology clinic of Wrocław (Poland)
Jesus said to His disciples(Jn 15:15).
“I no longer call you servants, because the servant does not know what his master is doing; I call you friends”
Mr. Consul, Madam Professor, Dear healthcare workers, Dear Father, Dear parents, Dearest children!
I welcome you, and I am happy that you have been able to organize your pilgrimage in this Jubilee year, which is focused on hope. It is a year in which God wants to give us special graces.
When I came to meet you, I felt a joy in my heart because we can give hope and love to each other.
And there is also another reason: dear children and young people, you are for me signs of hope!
And why is that? Because I am certain that Jesus is present in you.
And wherever he is, there is hope that does not disappoint!
Jesus took upon himself our sufferings, out of love, and so we too, through his love, can join him in our sufferings.
And that is the proof of friendship.
You know: when you are truly friends, the joy of the other person is my joy too, and the pain of the other is also my pain. Once, Jesus said to His disciples: I no longer call you servants, because the servant does not know what his master is doing; I call you friends Jn 15:15).
You too are friends, you are his friends and can share your joys and sufferings with him.
Another proof of Jesus’ friendship towards us is the love and constant presence of your parents.
It is the gentle and tender smile of the doctors, nurses and physiotherapists who care for you and work to improve your health, so that you do not lose your dreams and your hopes.
I too call you friends: you are friends!
And I would like to ask you to help me to serve the Church. And how?
Offer your prayers and your sufferings for the Pope’s intentions, every now and then!
I thank you for this!
And then I invite you to pray together with me for those children – there are many of them, unfortunately – who do not have the opportunity to be treated: they are sick, or injured,
and there is no medicine, there is no hospital, there are no doctors, there are no nurses.
Let us remember them, let us be close to them!
Dear children, thank you for coming, you are brave!
You are witnesses of hope for us adults and for your peers.
And thank you to those who have accompanied you: the Ordinary Consul of Luxembourg in Poland, Madam Professor, the organizers of this pilgrimage, the doctors, the nurses, the priest, and above all you, dear parents, pilgrims of hope together with your children.
I entrust you to the Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother. I bless you all and I keep you in my prayers. And you too, please, do not forget to pray for me. Thank you very much!.
