Vatican City: Children with cancer and other serious illnesses at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital have sent letters and drawings to Pope Leo XIV, offering him messages of hope and prayers as he recovers from lung surgery.
The children, who are receiving treatment at the hospital’s paediatric department, shared their experiences of illness and faith while encouraging the Pope to recover soon. Their messages included a reminder that “faith moves mountains” and expressions of solidarity with him as he faces his own health challenges.
The Holy See Press Office released images of the children’s letters and artwork on Friday. Their messages reflected the challenges of living with illness, the importance of family support and their hope for better days ahead.
Angelo, seven, wrote to the Pope after spending 36 days in hospital. Originally from Taurisano in the province of Lecce, southern Italy, he explained that he was staying on the same tenth floor as the Pope. Angelo had undergone surgery on his head.
In his letter, he told Pope Leo that he and his mother prayed for him every evening and wished him a speedy recovery. He also sent a drawing showing a tree beginning to lose its leaves, a meadow, birds flying across the sky and a large, bright sun.
Another message came from Eleonora, a girl from an Italian Chilean family who had received treatment in the hospital’s Neurosurgery and Oncology Department. Her mother, Maria Graziela, wrote about their family’s experience in a letter in Spanish, explaining that Eleonora was now healthy.
Reflecting on their experience, Maria Graziela wrote that faith could overcome great difficulties and expressed gratitude that their prayers had been heard. She referred to the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, Our Lady of Fatima and the Archangel Raphael.
The family also entrusted Pope Leo to the care of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the guardian angels, asking for his protection and assuring him of their prayers.
Giorgia, 18, wrote to the Pope in English about how illness had changed her life and forced her to put her dreams on hold while concentrating on her health.
She explained that the experience had helped her appreciate the care she received and the opportunity to recover. Although illness had brought difficult changes, it had also given new meaning to things she had previously taken for granted.
Giorgia said hearing about the Pope’s health problems had made her feel closer to him because they were facing similar situations. She expressed the hope that both of them would recover and invited him to pray with her.
“Better days will come for the both of us. I'm sure of that,” she wrote, adding that they were united in prayer for themselves and for others facing similar challenges.
The children’s messages brought together their personal experiences of illness and their concern for the Pope. Through their letters and drawings, they offered him encouragement while expressing their shared hope for recovery.