Pope's message for World Day of the Sick, Feb. 11

(February 9, 2009) The Church is the family of God in the world, and must care for its members, especially sick and suffering children, Pope Benedict XVI has said. The Pope stated this in his message for the 17th World Day of the Sick, which will be celebrated on Feb. 11 at the diocesan level. The message dedicated to sick children invited the faithful to focus attention this year on “the most weak and defenceless creatures and, among these, sick and suffering children." He mentioned the children with "disabling diseases" as well as those "injured in body and soul as a consequence of conflicts and war, and other victims of the senseless hatred of adults." He also remembered the "street children," deprived of the warmth of a family, and those whose innocence is violated, "resulting in a psychological wound that will mark them for the rest of their lives." The Holy Father called for support to the families of sick children, in order to create among them a climate of serenity and hope, and to make them feel surrounded by a vast family of brothers and sisters in Christ." In his message for the World Day of the Sick, the Pope also affirmed “the absolute and supreme dignity of every human life,” saying "the teaching that the Church proclaims incessantly does not change over time.” “Life is beautiful and should also be lived in fullness when it is weak and is wrapped in the mystery of suffering," is what the Church teaches, he added.