Pope Francis visits Genoa's Giannina Gaslini Pediatric
Hospital
“Faith works primarily through charity and without it, it is
dead. So I encourage you to carry out your delicate work motivated by
charity", said Pope Francis to the staff members of “Giannini
Gaslini” Pediatric Hospital during his day long visit to the Italian city of
Genoa on Saturday.
The Pope said that he couldn’t miss this visit where
children are cared for, because the suffering of children is certainly
something very difficult to accept. And added that it is there that the
Lord called him to be, though briefly, close to the children and their
relatives. "Often and again I ask myself: 'Why do children suffer?',
and I don't find any explantion," the Pope said. "I only look
at the crucifix and stand still there."
Pope Francis commended the devoted service of the hospital
staff, the President of the Foundation, the Archbishop of Genoa, physicians,
paramedics, the various specialized staff, as well as the Cappucchin
Friars Minor and all those who assist and help the children with love and
dedication and said that they in fact also need their gestures of
friendship, of understanding, of affection and paternal and maternal
support.
This institute is an act of love of Senator Gerolamo
Gaslini he said who in honour of his daughter who died of a tender age had
founded the hospital by sacrificing all he had: companies, establishments,
property, money, and even his home. This is why this hospital is known and
appreciated in Italy and around the world and has a special role of continuing
to be a symbol of generosity and solidarity he said. In founding of
the Hospital he observed, Gaslini said: "It is my firm will that this
Institute has the Catholic faith as its foundation and guide [...] that it
ferments every activity and comforts every pain." The pope called them to
often think of the "good Samaritan" of the Gospel- attentive to
the needs of their small patients, accepting tenderly their fragility,
and seeing the Lord in them. Whoever serves the sick with love serves Jesus who
opens the Kingdom of Heaven he affirmed.
The Pope hoped that the Hospital, faithful to its mission,
will continue its appreciated work of care and research through the generous
and disinterested contribution and contribute to all categories and at all
levels. He concluded assuring the staff, patients and their relatives of his
prayer and blessings.
Earlier on Wednesday linking-up live via telephone to a
parish radio in Genova that broadcasts a Wednesday weekly programme especially
dedicated to the children’s hospital, Pope Francis told the little patients
that it is with joy that he is preparing to be with them.
"Istituto Giannina Gaslini" is a tertiary level
pediatric hospital affiliated to the University of Genoa and is
considered one of the foremost children’s hospitals in Europe and is formally
recognized as a Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and
Healthcare.
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