Mass in the Gemelli held by the superior of the Franciscans: that the voice of Pope Francis does not go out

The General Minister of the Order of the Minor Frailes (OFM), Fray Massimo Fusarelli, celebrated a Mass at the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital for the health of Pope Francis in which he requested that his voice “does not go out”, because the Catholic Church and The world needs it.

“We ask the Lord to continue listening to our prayer, so that the voice of Pope Francis does not go out, but is strong and high; We need it especially as a compass in a dark time like the one we are living, ”said the Franciscan superior in the Eucharist.

In the celebration in the small “Juan Pablo II” chapel of the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital, where the Pontiff continues admitted since February 14, some 60 people participated, several of them belonging to the hospital health personnel, was preceded by a Eucharistic worship to 12 in the morning.

A few hours later, at 4:30 am, the Holy Rosary was prayed as part of the daily prayer initiatives organized in the Gemelli to express closeness to Pope Francis.

In his homily, Fray Fusarelli begged that the pontiff “soon can return to his mission, strengthened in spirit and body, according to God’s will.” “We need its compass, which reminds us of the Gospel so as not to bend to the powers of this world,” he said.

According to the Franciscans, the Minister General has also been admitted to this same health center after undergoing surgical operation, where the Holy Father has been hospitalized for thirteen days.

In the homily, the Franciscan general minister reflected on suffering and disease from a Christian perspective. Inspired by the day readings, he compared the evidence of life with the fire that purifies gold and silver, eliminating impurities.

“Tests, sufferings and diseases reveal who we really are,” he said. “Here, in this hospital, many of you, including doctors and health personnel, live this truth every day,” he added.

He also recalled the words of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Mark, when he takes a child and puts it in the midst of his disciples to teach them that true greatness is not in power, but in humility, welcome and service.

“Only if our heart is purified, if we let the mask of pride and ambition die little by little, we can recognize and accept the child in us,” he explained.

Likewise, Fray Fusarelli highlighted the testimony of Pope Francis, who, even in the disease, continues to show evangelical greatness through simplicity and closeness with the most fragile.

He then compared it with San Francisco de Asís, who in his famous Canticle of creatures, He praised God for all his works, including suffering in the world.

“As San Francisco sang: Laudato yes, mi sir, for our nursing alone (Praise you, my lord, also for our illness). Although we humanly perceive it as a conviction or a burden, in faith it can become an occasion of grace, purification and even conversion, ”he reflected.

The Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital has a deep link with the Franciscan friars since 1963. In fact, all the chaplains of the “John Paul II” church of the health center are Franciscan Frailes. His pastoral mission is inspired by the figure of Agostino Gemelli, founder of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and Friar Menor, who gave his name to this hospital.