Pope’s February Prayer Focus: Supporting Children with Incurable Diseases
Pope Leo XIV has announced his prayer intention for February 2023, focusing on supporting children with incurable diseases. This initiative invites Catholics worldwide to join in prayer for these vulnerable young individuals, recognizing the divine presence in their struggles.
Pope Leo XIV’s Message for Suffering Children
In his monthly video, the Pope emphasized the significance of acknowledging God’s face in every suffering child. He stated, “Lord Jesus, who welcomed the little ones in your arms and blessed them tenderly, today we bring before you the children living with incurable illnesses.”
Pope Leo highlighted that the “fragile bodies” of these children serve as a reminder of Jesus’ presence. Their smiles amidst pain testify to God’s Kingdom. He prayed for their access to proper medical care and the compassionate support of their communities.
Prayer for Families and Caregivers
The Pope also extended his prayers to the families and caregivers of ill children. He expressed hope that their decisions would be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, granting them patience and compassion during challenging times. He remarked, “May their vulnerability awaken our compassion and move us to care, accompany, and love with concrete gestures of solidarity.”
Global Support for Children with Incurable Diseases
A recent press release from the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network indicates that Pope Leo has a strong focus on these children this month. The video accompanying his prayer intention was filmed in the Church of St. Pellegrino in the Vatican. During the recording, the Pope was seen holding drawings created by children at the Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital in Rome.
Statistics from the World Health Organization reveal alarming data: approximately 400,000 children and teenagers are diagnosed with cancer each year. This statistic underscores the urgency of supporting young patients as cancer remains a leading cause of mortality in this age group. Furthermore, UNICEF reports that over 2.1 billion children worldwide are affected by chronic illnesses, resulting in approximately 1 million deaths annually among those under 20.
A Global Community in Prayer
Fr. Cristóbal Fones, Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, mentioned that more than 20 million individuals in over 90 countries are committed to praying for children battling these illnesses. He expressed hope, noting that the widespread response deepens collective compassion and commitment to this challenging reality.
By fostering prayer and solidarity, Pope Leo XIV aims to remind the faithful of the importance of empathy and action in supporting children with incurable diseases. He encourages the Church to embody these values, providing comfort and hope to those in suffering.
