POPE FRANCIS MAINTAINS BUSY SCHEDULE DESPITE HEALTH ISSUES
Pope Francis has demonstrated remarkable resilience by maintaining a demanding agenda, even though he acknowledged feeling unwell during a meeting with Jewish Rabbis from Europe on Monday morning.
In a report by the Italian newspaper II Corriere della Sera, it was revealed that the Pope opted to distribute printed copies of his prepared speech rather than delivering it verbally during the audience held on November 6.
During the meeting, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to the attendees, stating, "Thank you for this visit that I appreciate very much. However, it happens that I am not in the best of health, and that is why I prefer not to read the speech but give it to you."
Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, explained to Il Corriere della Sera that the Pope was experiencing a mild cold and had a busy day of audiences. He chose to greet the European Rabbis individually and, as a result, handed over the written address. Nevertheless, the Pope's other activities are proceeding as usual.
On November 6, Pope Francis embarked on a full day of meetings, commencing with an audience with Archbishop Leo Boccardi, the recently retired apostolic nuncio to Japan. Subsequent audiences were held with the new ambassadors to the Holy See from Brazil and Switzerland, Everton Vieira Vargas and Manuela Leimgruber, respectively.
In addition to engaging with the Conference of European Rabbis, the Pope also met with delegations from the Laudato Si’ Movement and a charitable Italian organization known as "Piccola Casa della Misericordia," headquartered in Gela, Sicily.
Pope Francis' busy morning also included a private audience with Pere Aragonès, a Spanish politician serving as the president of the government of Catalonia.
In the afternoon, the Pope's schedule featured a meeting with 7,000 children representing over 80 countries. This event was announced by Pope Francis after his midday Angelus prayer on October 1. The encounter, sponsored by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, is dedicated to the theme "Let us learn from boys and girls."
In his prepared remarks for the Rabbis, Pope Francis extended his thoughts and prayers to recent events, emphasizing, "My first thought and prayer goes, above all else, to everything that has happened in the last few weeks."
He expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence and conflicts in a land blessed by the Most High, urging for an end to hatred and armed clashes. The Pope also strongly condemned the spread of anti-Semitic demonstrations.
During these turbulent times, Pope Francis underscored the importance of believers coming together to foster fraternity and reconciliation. He emphasized that compassion, justice, and dialogue are the means to build peace, in contrast to weapons, terrorism, and war.
Post a Comment