After presiding over the canonization ceremony of Argentina's first female saint, Mama Antula, Pope Francis prayed the Angelus with an estimated 20,000 pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. And he asked for applause for the new saint.
POPE FRANCIS
Today, Maria Antonia de La Paz y Figueroa was canonized, an Argentinean saint. A round of applause for the new saint.
February 11 marks both the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of the Sick. This year, the message focused on the importance of humane treatment of the sick to reduce loneliness.
POPE FRANCIS
The first thing we need when we are sick is the closeness of our loved ones, of our healthcare personnel and, in our hearts, the closeness of God. We are all called to be close to those who suffer, to visit the sick, as Jesus teaches us in the Gospel.
And the Pope brought special attention to the people living in poverty, specifically for those in countries at war.
POPE FRANCIS
We cannot remain silent about the fact that there are so many people who are denied the right to medical care and, therefore, the right to life. I am thinking of those living in extreme poverty; but I am also thinking of war zones: there, fundamental human rights are violated every day. It is intolerable.
Before closing, Pope Francis asked for prayers for Ukraine, Palestine and Israel, as well as for Burma.
CA
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