Vatican City, 1 June 2013 (VIS) – Yesterday afternoon, in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis met with a group of 22 sick children who are being treated at the department of paediatric oncology at the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome. They were accompanied by their parents, representatives of the hospital staff and volunteers, and sisters and priests who are travelling with them on pilgrimages to Lourdes and Loreto.
For one of those trips, the children had sent the Pope drawings of the Grotto of Lourdes together with a letter offering to come and pray with him. The meeting took place in an atmosphere of prayer and great emotion, particularly joy. The Holy Father prayed the Our Father together with the children and they later sang the "Ave Maria of Lourdes".
While speaking with the Pope, one little girl ask that he pray for all the sick children in the world and that he bless their families. Pope Francis spoke with them, listening and answering their questions, reminding them that Jesus is at their side because "Jesus loves you very much".
Francis imparted the Apostolic Blessing, explaining to the children that it was "like a hug from God". At the end of the meeting, the Holy Father, as is his custom, individually greeted all those present with great affection.