Left image – Wikimedia Commons: Pope Francis Korea Haemi Castle 19
Despite being gravely ill in hospital, Pope Francis has issued a letter calling on the world to “advance the social protection of motherhood and the acceptance of human life in all its stages… Continue to place your trust in women, in their capacity for welcome, generosity, and courage.”
On Saturday (8 March), Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin read a message on behalf of Pope Francis who is currently in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after being diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.
In his letter to pilgrims of the Italian Movement for Life, read aloud at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis called on all people to take up the cause of the unborn around the world:
“The unborn child represents, in the fullest sense, every man and woman who does not count, who has no voice. Taking their side means standing in solidarity with all the discarded of the world.”
The Pope also called for a “civilization of love” that frees women “from the pressures that push them not to give birth to their child… Women must be able to count on the support of the entire civil and ecclesial community…
“In this half-century, while some ideological prejudices have diminished and young people’s sensitivity toward caring for creation has grown, the throwaway culture has unfortunately spread.
“A just society is not built by eliminating unwanted unborn children, elderly people who are no longer self-sufficient, or terminally ill patients.”
Expressing gratitude for people’s prayers for his health, Pope Francis prayed that the Blessed Virgin Mary would watch over all people who promote human life.
Shortly before his hospitalisation, Pope Francis hosted a Vatican summit on the rights of children, titled “Love Them and Protect Them”.
“In the name of this throwaway mentality, in which the human being becomes all-powerful, unborn life is sacrificed through the murderous practice of abortion”, the Pope told international leaders at the summit.
“Abortion suppresses the life of children and cuts off the source of hope for the whole of society.”
Pope Francis also called on the world to “respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death” in his New Year message, his first homily of 2025.
The Pope, aged 88, was admitted to hospital on 14 February. The latest Vatican update states that he remains in a stable condition.
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