Pope Francis exalts the vocation of midwives, a hymn to life

Pope Francis exalted the vocation of midwives, especially in this historical moment in which “he seems to have lost enthusiasm” for having children.

The Holy Father received on February 6 in the Vatican to a group of midwives, gynecologists and health professionals in Calabria (Italy). The audience took place in the Santa Marta house and not in the Apostolic Palace, as planned, because the Pontiff suffers from a “Strong cold”.

“His profession is wonderful, a vocation and a hymn to life, even more important in this historical moment,” said the pontiff at the beginning of his speech, delivered directly to midwives and doctors.

He also regretted that in Italy and other countries “the enthusiasm for motherhood and paternity seems to have lost.”

“They are seen more as a source of difficulties and problems that such as opening to a new horizon of creativity and happiness”, something that depends a lot on the social and cultural context. Therefore, the Holy Father thanked their work for reversing the trend of low birth.

He then shared with them three aspects of his life and his mission: professionalism, human sensitivity and prayer.

1. Professionalism

Regarding professionalism, the Holy Father remarked that “the continuous improvement of competencies is not only part of their deontological code, but also of a path of lay holiness.”

In this regard, he stressed that “competition is the tool with which they can exercise the charity that has been entrusted to them, both in the usual accompaniment of future mothers and in the management of critical and painful situations.”

In all these cases, he said that the presence of well -prepared professionals “provides serenity and, in the most serious cases, can save lives.”

2. Human sensitivity

For the Holy Father, at a crucial moment of life, such as the birth of a child or a daughter, “you can feel vulnerability and fragility, and therefore, a greater need for closeness, tenderness and warmth.”

In such circumstances, he stressed that having with his side “to sensitive and delicate people does a lot of good.”

Therefore, he recommended that they cultivate, in addition to their professional ability, “a great sense of humanity, that confirms in the soul of parents the desire and joy for the new life, born of their love and that it contributes to guaranteeing the child a healthy and happy birth. ”

3. The prayer

Pope Francis defined prayer as “a hidden medicine” but effective, because “heals the soul.”

He also pointed out that sometimes it will be possible to share it with patients, although other times “you can offer God with discretion and humility, in the heart itself, respecting the faith and path of each person.”

However, he remarked that, with prayer, he will always contribute to strengthening that “admirable collaboration of parents, nature and of God, from which a new human being is born in the image and likeness of the creator,” as the venerable said Pius XII.

Therefore, he encouraged them to feel, before mothers, fathers and children that God puts on their way, “the responsibility of also praying for them, especially in the Holy Mass, in Eucharistic Adoration and in the simple prayer and prayer and everyday. ”