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Pope Francis: Suffering becomes ‘occasion for transformative encounter’ with God

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall for his Wednesday general audience on Jan. 15, 2025, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

CNA Newsroom, Jan 27, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

PopeFrancisemphasizedhowsufferingcanbecome“anoccasionforatransformativeencounter”withGodinanewmessagereleasedMonday,describingthreedistinctwaysthedivinedrawsclosetothoseexperiencingillnessandhardship. Inhismessageforthe2025WorldDayoftheSick—signedJan.14attheArchbasilicaofSt.JohnLateran—thepontiffpointedtopresence,gift,andsharingasprofoundpathsofprovidentialcompanionshipduringtimesoftrial. Healsoaddressedallthose“whoareillorwhocareforthesuffering,”tellingthem:“Yourjourneytogetherisasignforeveryone:‘ahymntohumandignity,asongofhope.’” The88-year-oldpopewrotefrompersonalexperience,havingfacedseveralhealthchallengesinrecentyears,includingkneeproblemsrequiringawheelchair,respiratoryinfections,and,mostrecently,afallresultinginaforearmcontusion. “Intimesofillness,wesenseourhumanfrailtyonthephysical,psycho