The pope's first special audience after the pandemic was with medical staff in northern Italy, the area most hard-hit by the coronavirus. It was a meeting of gratitude.
POPE FRANCIS
With you, patients often felt they had angels at their sides, who helped them recover their health, and who simultaneously consoled them, supported and sometimes accompanied them to the threshold of the final meeting with the Lord.
The pope told them their generous work revealed a miracle of professionalism, generosity and hope. He encouraged all of society to follow this path.
POPE FRANCIS
To honor the suffering of the sick and the many who have died, especially the elderly, whose life experience must not be forgotten, we have to build tomorrow. This requires the commitment, strength and dedication of everyone.
Although it seems that Europe has survived the worst moment of the pandemic, Pope Francis asked Europeans not to lower their guard, but rather, to respect all measures implemented to limit contagions as much as possible.
Javier Martínez-Brocal
Translation: CT