The gravely ill children, 22 of them, accompanied by their parents and by representatives of the personnel from the Gemelli and by volunteers from the Unitalsi, as well as religious sisters and priests who are close to them, and who accompany them on pilgrimages to Lourdes and to Loretto. In total, there were about 70 persons present. Among those present, there were three (blood) sisters, all of them ill, along with their parents. While on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, the children in this group had sent the Pope their drawings of the Grotto of Lourdes (the most beautiful among them had been done in Braille by a blind child), accompanied by a letter in which they had offered to come and pray with the Pope.
The gathering unfolded in a climate of prayer and of great emotion, but also in joy, as commonly occurs when children are the protagonists. After the sign of the cross and the greeting of peace spoken by the Pope and the recitation of the Our Father, one of the children offered the Pope some words of greeting, asking him to pray for all the sick children in the world, and to bless their parents. Everyone present then sang together the Ave Maria of Lourdes.
The Pope offered to the children and to the others who were present, some words in the form of a dialogue wth the little ones, listening to their requests and receiving small gifts. He invited them to always feel the presence of Jesus close to them because Jesus loves you very much. After reciting a Hail Mary together, the Pope gave them his blessing, which is like a hug from God. Finally, as he does usually, he greeted each one of the children, along with their parents with great affection.
The encounter lasted about 30 minutes.
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