On a sunny Sunday morning, dozens of children filled the square outside the Policlinico A. Gemelli in Rome, where Pope Francis has been undergoing treatment for pneumonia for over four weeks. Dressed in bright yellow and white, the colors of the Vatican, they held up cheerful signs and balloons, chanting “Papa Francesco” and shouting “Viva la Pace” in a show of solidarity for the pontiff. One enthusiastic boy, surrounded by a group of young “castorini” – children too young to be Scouts – held up a sign that read, “Ciao Papa Cesco, I love you a lot,” hoping to catch His Holiness’ attention.
Though the pope did not make an appearance, he acknowledged the children during his traditional Sunday blessing via a remote message, expressing gratitude for their prayers and support. “I know that many children are praying for me; some of them came here today to Gemelli as a sign of closeness,” he said, emphasizing his love for the children and his anticipation of meeting them soon.
Father Enzo Fortunato, who organized the gathering under the pontifical committee for World Children’s Day, noted that children bring joy, providing a “symbolic medicine” for the recovering pope. All of the children's letters and posters will be collected and saved for the pope, who is expected to respond to them personally when he returns to Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where he resides.
