Francesco, during his last Angelus before leaving the Gemelli hospital, emphasized the importance of patience leading to conversion. The Pontiff highlighted the care provided by the healthcare staff and expressed sorrow over the resumption of bombings in Gaza. There is hope for an agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
By: Francesca Sabatinelli – Vatican News
Published on:
The most difficult and painful situations require a “trustful patience, anchored in the love of God.” Just like the one experienced by the Pope on his return to the Vatican, in the text prepared for the Angelus, the last one during his hospital stay at the Gemelli hospital, he emphasized the importance of “patience” necessary for human life. It is God’s patience, as indicated by the Gospel, that urges believers to make their lives “a time of conversion”, like the farmer waiting for the fruits of the barren fig tree. The Lord, the “patient farmer”, works on the soil of human life to patiently await their “return to Him.”
During this long hospitalization, I have experienced the patience of the Lord, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of the doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the attentions and hopes of the families of the sick. This trustful patience, anchored in the unwavering love of God, is truly necessary for our lives, especially to face the most difficult and painful situations.
Sorrow over the bombs in Gaza
Francesco once again expresses sorrow over the resumption of Israeli bombings in Gaza, causing many deaths and injuries, and concern for the dire humanitarian situation.
I ask that the weapons fall silent immediately, and that there be the courage to resume dialogue, so that all hostages are released and a definitive ceasefire is reached. The humanitarian situation in the Strip is once again very serious and requires urgent commitment from the warring parties and the international community.
The agreement in the Southern Caucasus
Hope is realized in the Southern Caucasus, where an agreement has been reached.
I am pleased that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on the final text of the Peace Agreement. I hope that it will be signed as soon as possible and thus contribute to establishing lasting peace in the Southern Caucasus.
Francesco concludes by thanking all those who pray for him, and implores that “wars come to an end and peace is made, especially in the devastated Ukraine, in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
