Sunday, December 22, 2019

Greetings for children in hospital

This morning, inside the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience the children who are being assisted by the Santa Marta Paediatric Dispensary, which is located inside Vatican City, along with their family members and volunteers.


Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
offered to children and staff from the
Santa Marta Paediatric Dispensary

Good morning everyone!

These children, these kids do wonderful things! I'm happy, I'm glad to see you do this! You also sing well, very well! You're good. And the cake looks like it's good ... Can we eat it? Yes? All together ... Or are we waiting? Let's wait, it's better that way ...

You too, thank you for bringing the children here. Giving children joy is a very big thing. Even parents when they know how to play with children do a very good thing. Playing with children, the expression of children who are the essence of innocence, promise, many good things ... Thank you for this meeting.

And now one thing. I read in these three boxes that the Magi brought, three words: Hope, Love and ... what was it? ... (the children shout: Peace!) Ah, there was no war written? ... (the children say: No!) Are you sure? (the children answer: Yes!) What is more beautiful, war or peace? (the children shout: Peace!) Are you sure? Isn't war more beautiful? What does war do? Speak loudly ... you! (a child says: it destroys). Kills, kills ... War kills life, it kills old people, young people, children, it kills everyone. But to defeat war, love is needed. How can you live without war? With love. All together! How can you live without war? (all: With love). How? (all: With love). Peace, love ... and what was the third? (the children say: Hope). Here, go on with hope. Always looking to the future, looking to the horizon, with the hope that a better world will always come from the Lord, and also from our work. Let's say the three words together: Hope, Love, war ... ah, no! What was it? (the children say: Peace!) Ah, sorry. Hope, Love and Peace. One more time, everyone! (the children shout: Hope, Love and Peace!)

You were good.  Thank you!  Congratulations!  Thank you parents for being here and to all those who have helped organize this party.  Now, I have to go for the Angelus and I am praying for you, and you too, pray for me.  Ok!  Bye!  Thank you.
Testo originale nella lingua italiana

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