“I feel in my heart the ‘blessing’ that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord,” he writes.
“I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people.
“I would like to thank you for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world: I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am ‘carried’ and supported by all God’s people. Thank you all!
“I pray for you too. And I pray above all for peace. From here, war appears even more absurd. Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Kivu.”
Commenting on today’s Gospel passage (Lk 6:39-45), Francis emphasised how Jesus makes us reflect on two of the five senses: sight and taste.
“With regard to sight, He asks us to train our eyes to observe the world well and to judge our neighbour with charity,” the text reads. “Only with this gaze of care, not condemnation, can fraternal correction be a virtue. Because if it is not fraternal, it is not correction!
“With regard to taste, Jesus reminds us that ‘every tree is known by its own fruit’ (v. 44). And the fruits that come from man are, for example, his words, which ripen on his lips, since ‘for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks’ (v. 45). Rotten fruits are violent, false, vulgar words; good ones are the just and honest words that give flavour to our dialogues.”
“And so we can ask ourselves: how do I look at other people, who are my brothers and sisters? And how do I feel looked at by others? Do my words have a good flavour, or are they imbued with bitterness and vanity?”
Meanwhile, the latest medical bulletin released last night by the Holy See Press Office reports that Pope Francis’s “clinical condition remains stable”. Since Friday, no other episodes of bronchospasm has occurred.
The pontiff “is alternating between non-invasive mechanical ventilation and long periods of supplemental high-flow oxygenation, maintaining a good response to gas exchange,” reads the statement.
“The Holy Father does not have a fever and shows no leukocytosis (high white blood cell count). […] he has continued to eat on his own and has regularly undergone respiratory physiotherapy, in which he cooperates actively.”
“The prognosis remains guarded.”