Pope Francis visited his “neighbors” in the hospital this afternoon — the young patients of the pediatric oncology ward. Both the Pope and these children are being treated on the 10th floor of the Gemelli Hospital.
The Holy Father has been in the hospital since July 4, when he underwent a pre-scheduled colon surgery. The Vatican press office announced today that his rehab treatment continues, so he can get back to the Vatican “as soon as possible.”
Some of these young patients accompanied the Holy Father from the balcony of his room on Sunday as he led the midday Angelus. On that occasion, he said:
Why do children suffer? Why children suffer is a question that touches the heart. Accompany them with prayer and pray for all those who are sick, especially for those in the most difficult conditions …