The Pope Meets Families and Volunteers of the Santa Marta Dispensary
The day after his birthday, Francis takes part in the traditional moment of celebration with those who work in the Vatican pediatric facility with material, medical and spiritual aid. Also in the presence of some Ukrainian families hosted in Rome, the Pontiff invites us to remember those who suffer because of the war, and also in other places, because of injustices
Antonella Palermo - Vatican City
The invitation not to forget the children of Ukraine and those who suffer elsewhere from injustice. This is the heart of the few but significant words of Francis who, the day after his birthday, as is tradition in this Advent season, participated in the Paul VI Hall in a convivial moment with the Santa Marta Dispensary, the pediatric facility that has been active for a century in the Vatican.
Do not forget those who suffer
Pointing to a sign from Ukraine, the Pope recalls:
There it says “Peace”, and there is the flag of Ukraine. So many children who suffer from war; and they also suffer in other places from injustice. If the Lord gives us this joy of celebrating Christmas like this, all together, in peace, let us also think of those who suffer and pray for them, all together.
Sister Rizzello: the encounter with the fragile shows how much
injustice there is
Francis thanks for this moment of celebration, “the circus”, he calls it. A moment shared with families and volunteers of the dispensary, Ukrainian families welcomed by the rector of the church of Santa Sofia, in Rome and by the communities of the Daughters of Charity, some Eritrean families and friends of the refectories. Cardinal Krajewski, Papal Almoner, would also have attended, but his new mission of distributing the aid collected for the Ukrainian population brought him again tonight to reach the country that is experiencing the drama of war.
“We thank you for the opportunity you offer us to be at the service of Jesus’ favorites: the little ones, the poor, those rejected by society but who are his favorites and loved, Your Holiness”, says the director Sister Anna Luisa Rizzello who introduced the celebration.
A large heart-shaped balloon with the Ukrainian flag
Around the work of solidarity carried out by the dispensary, there are “hardworking hands that try to respond to material, health and spiritual needs”, the director emphasizes in her greeting address. There is no lack of shared brotherhood, she says, and observes: “The encounter with the fragile makes us grow in humanity and makes us experience how much injustice, insensitivity, suffering is sown on the earth”. Those who turn to the dispensary for help teach us, again in the words of Sister Rizzello, humility, joy, recognition and gratitude.
The space for some testimonies and the song of a happy birthday to the Pope season the climate of joyful anticipation of Christmas among those who work for others in difficulty.
