Jubilee of patients, pilgrims: Pope Francis with us

Daniele Pikini – Vatikan Ciudad

Many in animated chairs. Others are supported by the arm by their colleagues in the class: the family, religious agents, health agents, and volunteers in Jonales. On Saturday, April 5, the jubilee, who was patient and the health world, began on April 5, from Pia Plaza, shortly after half. In a few hundred meters, they will cross the Holy Gate of Basilica San Pedro. For some of them, after many past days in their elderly homes, it is an enjoyable day in the open air. Everyone is the day of hope.

One day outside the old woman

“We are here to live a common experience, and the path of faith that enriches everyone, for us the volunteers in UNESSE and the patients we accompany,” explains Don Walter Gati, UNESCE assistant in Vitorio Venito. We are a group of 170 people – the priest continues – not all of them are sick. For example, I also accompany my 95 -year -old mom. For our patients, it is a great emotion and a great experience for being here, because they are often limited to their homes or reception centers, where they receive a good treatment, but they do not always have an opportunity to live in such outdoors.

Prayer during a procession to Basilica San Pedro

Prayer of hope and peace

For some, confined to the wheelchairs, participation in the jubilee of patients is even a dream. “I wanted to live this jubilee and commanded the sacred door. “It seemed impossible because I cannot walk,” Mrs. Angela, guest of the Nursing House. Trinità »In Trofarello via Rome, a few minutes after she crossed her wheelchair. “We had a car to download a wheelchair, and thus I received a large gesture of affection from my colleagues in the class that helped me. I am pleased to come and hung in the first person how, despite all the challenges and wars, hopes can always be born in the future in my heart,” says Angela, a member of Focolar.

Control before Plaza de San Pedro enters

Think of Francesco

Besides La Esperanza, more than twenty thousand pilgrims arrived in Rome from more than 90 countries in the world for the jubilee of patients, they carry thinking about the same Pope Francis, until March 23 in the hospital in Gemelli Polyclinic, who was recently unloaded and still in Santa Marta. “We have arrived in Rome during the jubilee, which is long in faith,” says Daniel, originally from Sri Lanka, who accompanies two people with disabilities. “

Tomorrow, with the Mass in Plaza de San Pedro headed by Mons. Rino Fisichella, supportive of the appearance of Dicastery for evangelization, will conclude the seventh juvenile event program.

Pilgrims who cross the sacred door