Lenten Campaign 2025
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Now for five Sundays, Pope Francis has been unable to lead the midday Angelus, not even from the balcony of the Gemelli hospital. However, as in previous weeks, the text of his reflection was released by the Vatican.
I am sharing these thoughts with you while I am facing a period of trial, and I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: fragile, at this time, like me. Our bodies are weak but, even like this, nothing can prevent us from loving, praying, giving ourselves, being for each other, in faith, shining signs of hope.
The Holy Father also thanked the people of God for their prayers, and in particular the children. "The Pope loves you and is always waiting to meet you," he said to the youngsters.
The Vatican has lessened the number of updates given on the Pope's health as he has been improving for several days. On Saturday evening, though, the message affirmed that the 88-year-old makes "slow" progress:
There have been no new developments in the Pope's clinical picture over the past few days. This is positive.
The Pope's recovery is slow, and it will take time for improvements to be consolidated.
Follow updates on the Pope's health here.
Here is the full text of the Pope's Angelus reflection:
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Today, the second Sunday of Lent, the Gospel tells us about the Transfiguration of Jesus (Lk 9:28-36). Having climbed to the top of a mountain with Peter, James and John, Jesus immerses Himself in prayer and becomes radiant with light. In this way, He shows the disciples what is hidden behind the gestures He performs in their midst: the light of His infinite love.
I am sharing these thoughts with you while I am facing a period of trial, and I join with so many brothers and sisters who are sick: fragile, at this time, like me. Our bodies are weak but, even like this, nothing can prevent us from loving, praying, giving ourselves, being for each other, in faith, shining signs of hope. How much light shines, in this sense, in hospitals and places of care! How much loving care illuminates the rooms, the corridors, the clinics, the places where the humblest services are performed! That is why I would like to invite you, today, to join me in praising the Lord, who never abandons us and who, in times of sorrow, places people beside us who reflect a ray of His love.
I thank you all for your prayers, and I thank those who assist me with such dedication. I know that many children are praying for me; some of them came here today to Gemelli as a sign of closeness. Thank you, dearest children! The Pope loves you and is always waiting to meet you.
Let us continue to pray for peace, especially in the countries wounded by war: tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
And let us also pray for the Church, required to translate into concrete choices the discernment made in the recent Synodal Assembly. I thank the General Secretariat of the Synod, which over the coming three years will accompany the local Churches in this undertaking.
May the Virgin Mary keep you and help you to be, like Her, bearers of Christ’s light and peace.
