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