Cardinal Parolin visits 'Bambino Gesù' children's hospital

By Vatican News

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, made his annual Christmas visit to the nearby Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, an institution of the Holy See. He met with the young patients and staff bringing with him the good wishes and greetings of Pope Francis for all. 

He had brief conversations with those he met offering consolation to those receiving care, and especially to parents, some of whom have been beside their children for days, months or years, dealing with serious illness and disease. He offered them all a small picture of Pope Francis whose greetings he shared and a small cross with the face of Christ.

Cardinal Parolin visited the hospital during the afternoon of Friday 22 December. Going room by room, he prayed the Hail Mary with those present. When he reached the intensive care unit, he prayed and gave a blessing. Cardinal Parolin in meeting with the doctors, nurses, administrators and volunteers said "It is always a very special moment at this time, the eve of Christmas, to come here to the Bambino Gesù hospital and to meet these young patients especially. It's very moving." In addressing the hospital staff, he praised their dedication and recalled the great responsibility they carry in their work, each person with his or her expertise and contribution.

Recalling how the Bambino Gesù is an institution of the Holy See, Cardinal Parolin observed that while some may wonder why the Holy See is running a hospital since it does not seem to fit with its specific mission, he said that instead such outreach and responsibility is very important, as Jesus went out to heal the sick as well as to forgive sins, "to heal spirits and bodies." He added that the Lord "gave this task to the disciples, which the Church has always continued and does so today through the Bambino Gesù" children's hospital.