He cannot speak directly to the faithful, but the Angelus in written form has nevertheless reached those who, with their hearts and prayers, have never left Pope Francis alone. " I am facing a period of trial ," Bergoglio explained, "and I join many sick brothers and sisters : fragile, at this moment, like me. Our bodies are weak but, even so, nothing can prevent us from loving, from praying, from giving ourselves, from being for one another, in faith, luminous signs of hope."

Then the thought goes to places of care, to those who work there and to the love that shines in places of suffering but also of so much hope: "How much light shines, in this sense, in hospitals and places of care! How much loving attention illuminates the rooms, the corridors, the clinics, the places where the humblest services are carried out! Therefore I would like to invite you, today, to give with me praise to the Lord, who never abandons us and who in moments of pain places beside us people who reflect a ray of his love".

In the meantime – as confirmed by the medical bulletin – Pope Francis' clinical conditions have remained stable, confirming the progress highlighted in the last week.

(Unioneonline/vf)

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