Since Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 14, the world has focused its attention on Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
As people from different countries continue to arrive in the Eternal City to experience this year’s Jubilee of Hope, the hospital where Pope Francis is staying has also now become a part of their pilgrimage.
Just outside the hospital, hundreds of the faithful with their own stories stop to pray every day at the feet of the statue of St. John Paul II. Their gaze rises to heaven and, with special devotion, to the top floor of the hospital, where the pontiff continues to recover.
‘It’s not just a hospital. It’s like being at a general audience with the pope’
This past weekend, Father Enzo del Brocco, a Passionist priest, took a moment to pray with devotion before the statue of St. John Paul II for his mother, who was scheduled for surgery on March 1.
“Knowing that she is in the same hospital with Pope Francis is very moving. He always says that the shepherd must have the smell of his sheep, and I think that he has it now in a special way with those who are here,” del Brocco said, his voice full of emotion.
“If my mother could, she would definitely try to get through security to see him. I’m sure she would! She’s very happy. It’s incredible, because she has been praying for him,” he told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, with a smile.
The priest from Pittsburgh emphasized how special this place is for him. “It’s not just a hospital. It’s a place where suffering is intertwined with hope, and people find a lot of consolation.”
“Many people who have been praying here tell me the same thing, they feel as if they are at a general audience with the pope, even when he cannot speak to them. And I think that’s the most beautiful thing.”
‘He has always been there for us, so now is the time to be here for him’
Sister Mary Jane traveled to Rome from Stockton, California, for the Jubilee of Hope. As another stop on her pilgrimage, she came to Gemelli with other women from St. Luke Church to show their closeness to the Holy Father.
“I think the most important thing we can do for the pope is to show how much we care and how much we love him as our father figure; praying for him and showing him that we care is the least we can do. He has always been there for us, so now is the time to be here for him,” she said.
The pilgrims expressed their faith that Jesus is the “supreme healer” and emphasized that prayer “strengthens, not only physically but spiritually. I think that is where the pope also draws strength,” Sister Mary Jane added.
Before resuming their journey back to the center of Rome by train, Monica and Zoltan prayed silently before the lit candles bearing the face of Pope Francis. The couple travelled from Bucharest, Romania, on the occasion of their honeymoon 18 years ago in the Eternal City.
Stopping at Gemelli Hospital was a must for them. “It’s important to pray for his situation, although you always have to pray, no matter what the situation is,” Zoltan emphasized.
Both fondly remember the Holy Father’s apostolic journey to their country in 2019 and now wished to express to him the same closeness. “We pray every day, but only God knows what is best for him.”
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
