By Salvatore Cernuzio
Jun 12 2023
Children being cared for in Gemelli’s paediatric oncology department have sent letters, drawings, and other works of art to Pope Francis, whose hospital suite adjoins their ward. “We are waiting for you with open arms,” write the young patients, whom the Pope has already visited twice during previous hospital stays.
Franco, Francis C., Francis D., Francesca, Isabel, Yaroslaiv, Ascanio, Elena, Giorgia, Martina, and Davide are now old friends of Pope Francis: so much so that when they heard Pope Francis had been admitted once again to the rooms that adjoin their ward, they felt compelled to write to him to wish him a speedy recovery and assure him, “We are waiting for you with open arms!”
The young patients of Paediatric Oncology at Policlinico Gemelli wanted to express their closeness to Francis, on the second day of his recovery from a 7 June abdominal operation. Though they could not embrace him in person, they showed their affection through cards, drawings, and even a heart-shaped sculpture bearing the words “Always with you.”
“Dear Pope Francis,” reads the yellow letter signed by the children, “we have heard that you have not been so well and that is why we share the same hospital. We hope very much that you will recover as soon as possible to return to your daily activities. Thank you for what you do for us and for coming to visit us several times; you are always welcome and we await you with open arms.” The card was signed by “the children and young people of Paediatric Oncology,” which was followed by a postscript: “We hope you will appreciate our little thoughts.”
A papal tweet
Pope Francis, for his part, responded to the children, and to all those who are praying for him and offering their best wishes, with a message from his @Pontifex account, tweeted in nine different languages: “I sincerely appreciate the prayers and numerous expressions of closeness and affection received in the past few days. I am praying for everyone, especially those who suffer. I ask you to keep me in your prayers.”
The two previous visits to the ward
Pope Francis has visited the paediatric oncology ward twice already, in July 2021 when he was operated on for diverticular stenosis; and earlier this year when he was hospitalized with infectious bronchitis.
The two visits were a glimpse of light amidst the darkness of a disease too great for such small bodies, the darkness of negative reports, of treatments too harsh to bear, of emotional stress for families. Pope Francis brought with him his blessing and his embrace, and the children have not forgotten him. Now, presented with the opportunity to support the Pope, they responded immediately. Incidentally, right next to the school, inside the hospital for oncology patients, hangs a colourful mural paying homage to the Argentinean pontiff.
Patients from Bambino Gesù
Earlier, other young patients, from Bambino Gesù Hospital, “sent” the Pontiff a touching image of the Pope in a hospital bed. The four children – Giorgio, Mia, Samuel, and Chiara, are pictured looking through a window and encouraging him: “Don’t be afraid! We’re with you!” The image was circulated on the paediatric hospital’s social media accounts.
The Gemelli community offers its support
Of course, it’s not just the children who are offering Pope Francis their support. The entire hospital community of the Gemelli Hospital has offered him their greetings, prayers, and best wishes any time he appears at the windows of his suite, which were open on Friday to let in the sun. One group of dental students found themselves near the famous statue of St John Paul II – who himself was admitted several times to the Roman hospital – and, having taken a picture of themselves, took the opportunity to greet Pope Francis with loud a loud cry: “Dear Pope Francis, we wish you a speedy recovery. Long live the Pope!” – Vatican News
