Pope, Vatican on World Diabetes Day

(November 14, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday urged for prayers for those suffering from diabetes, saying the chronic disease afflicts many in the world, including young people. “I pray for all these brothers and sisters, and those who share their burden, including healthcare workers and volunteers who assist them,” the Pope said after his weekly ‘Angelus’ prayer at noon on Sunday, the eve of Nov. 14 World Diabetes Day. The following day, Monday, World Diabetes Day, the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care appealed for greater commitment in promoting awareness regarding the prevalence of diabetes and the dangers and complications associated with it. “On the occasion of World Diabetes Day dedicated to the fight against this disease and united in prayers with the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, we make a new appeal so that in the whole world people can have the necessary information to prevent it and have access to the structures to be able to have the needed treatment,” wrote Council president Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski in an appeal. He said that ahead of the Nov. 14 annual observance, a Holy Mass was celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica on Nov. 8 for all those affected by diabetes. According to the latest statistics of International Diabetes Federation at least one in 10 adults could have diabetes by 2030. In a report issued on Monday, the advocacy group estimated that 552 million people could have diabetes in two decades' time based on factors like aging and demographic changes. Currently, the group says that about one adult in 13 has diabetes. According to the World Health Organization, there are about 346 million people worldwide with diabetes, with more than 80 percent of deaths occurring in developing countries. Kidney failure and blindness are the major risks of the debilitating disease which can also lead to amputation.