Vatican City: In a warm and intimate gesture ahead of the festive season, Pope Leo XIV met with individuals suffering from various illnesses and disabilities at the Paul VI Hall on Wednesday, offering blessings and heartfelt wishes that the joy of Christmas may accompany them and their families.
The gathering was described by the Holy Father as a âsmall, slightly more personalâ encounter, designed to provide comfort and protect attendees from the elements, particularly the cold. âWe wanted to shelter you a little from the cold,â Pope Leo said, noting that although it was not raining, the arrangement would allow participants a more comfortable and intimate experience.
Traditionally, a section close to the Pope is reserved for those who are sick during the weekly General Audience in St. Peterâs Square, but this week the meeting took a more personal form. The Pope took the opportunity to personally greet and bless those present, expressing a prayer that the holiday seasonâs joy and Godâs love would remain with them always.
âMay you always be in the hands of the Lord, with confidence, with this love that only God can give us,â he said, offering words of encouragement and hope. Following the personal greetings, Pope Leo proceeded to the square to conduct the General Audience, carrying the spirit of compassion and warmth from the smaller gathering into the broader congregation.
This intimate encounter reflects the Holy Fatherâs commitment to bringing comfort, joy, and spiritual closeness to the sick and vulnerable, ensuring that the message of Christmas reaches those who may most need reassurance and care.