Skip to content

Pope Francis Praises Midwives, OB-GYNs Who Welcome Babies With ‘Humanity’

Pope Francis on Thursday encouraged midwives and OB-GYNs to carry out their mission not only with professional skill but also with “a great sense of humanity.”

Pope Francis on Thursday encouraged midwives and OB-GYNs to carry out their mission not only with professional skill but also with “a great sense of humanity.”

The pope’s words were conveyed in a written speech handed out during an audience with an association of midwives and OB-GYNs from the southern Italian region of Calabria on Feb. 6.

With Francis suffering from bronchitis, the pontiff’s meetings on Thursday were held in halls at his Santa Marta residence rather than at the Apostolic Palace.

The Vatican Press Office said Feb. 6 Francis would continue to hold his meetings at the Casa Santa Marta on Feb. 7 and 8 due to the illness.

Pope Francis greets members of the Interprovincial Order of the Profession of Midwifery of Catanzaro on Feb. 6, 2025, at his Casa Santa Marta residence at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Francis greets members of the Interprovincial Order of the Profession of Midwifery of Catanzaro on Feb. 6, 2025, at his Casa Santa Marta residence at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media

“At a crucial moment of existence such as the birth of a son or daughter, one may feel vulnerable, fragile, and therefore most in need of closeness, tenderness, and warmth,” the pope said to the group of midwives and OB-GYNs.

“It does so much good, in such circumstances, to have sensitive and delicate people beside you. I therefore recommend you to cultivate, in addition to professional skill, a great sense of humanity, which confirms ‘in the parents’ souls the desire and joy for the new life, blossomed from their love’ (St. John Paul II, Address to Midwives, Jan. 26, 1980) and contributes to ‘assuring the child a healthy and happy birth.’”

The pope noted the loss of enthusiasm for parenthood in Italy and in other countries, where motherhood and fatherhood are no longer seen as “the opening of a new horizon of creativity and happiness.”

He also urged Christian midwives and doctors to use the “hidden but effective medicine” of prayer in their practices.

Whether it is appropriate to pray directly with patients or to offer a silent prayer in one’s own heart, prayer can “help strengthen that ‘admirable collaboration of parents, nature, and God, from which a new human being in the image and likeness of the Creator comes into being,’” he said, quoting Venerable Pius XII in a 1951 address to the Italian Catholic Union of Midwives.

“I encourage you to feel toward the mothers, fathers, and children whom God puts in your path the responsibility to pray for them as well, especially in holy Mass, Eucharistic adoration, and simple, daily prayer,” Pope Francis said.

This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Who are the new saints of Hungary?

During his visit to Budapest, Pope Francis praised several Hungarian saints, including King Stephen, his family, and Cardinal Jozef Mindszenty. He also visited St. Istvan's Cathedral, where he spoke about Hungary's recent saints, such as Father Janos Brenner, who was martyred in 1957. The Pope's visit also touched on the cause for beatification of Maria Teresa Coreth, wife of Blessed Batthiany-Stratman. The institute for the blind that he visited is named after the blessed.

Pope Francis to clergy abuse commission: ‘Our commitment must not wane’

Pope Francis encouraged the papal commission tasked with combatting clergy abuse to move forward in their efforts to

Cardinal Zuppi in China: “Seeking Pathways to Peace”

Pope Francis' special envoy recently embarked on a mission to China

Urban Artist Behind Famous “Super Pope” Designs Official Image for This Lent

Urban artist Mauro Pallotta, known for creating graffiti images of Pope Francis on the streets of Rome, has been chosen by the Vatican to design this year's official Lent image.

Diocesan phase completed for canonization of Father Pedro Arrupe

Nov. 14 marked the closing of the diocesan phase of the cause for the beatification of Father Pedro Arrupe, the 28th superior general of the Society of Jesus.

The Chosen Cast Meets the Pope, Visits EWTN: “Rome Breathes the Gospel”

A delegation of The Chosen cast was welcomed in the EWTN Vatican Bureau in Rome. A meeting full of spirituality, smiles, and testimonies that confirmed the cultural and pastoral value of a now global project.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTN.it