During the Jubilee of the Sick and Healthcare Workers, held on April 5–6, 2025, Pope Francis delivered a powerful message of hope and compassion, reminding the faithful that “the sickbed can become a holy place, where charity burns away indifference and gratitude nourishes hope.”
The Pope’s homily, read by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, drew from the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel account of the woman condemned for her sins.
He emphasized that, just as God was present with the Israelites in exile and with the woman in her shame, He enters our lives not despite our suffering but because of it.
Reflecting on illness, Pope Francis acknowledged its pain and difficulty, but also its potential to become a place of encounter and transformation—a “school” of love, humility, and grace.
He shared his own experience of illness, calling it a lesson in trust, gratitude, and hope.
To healthcare workers, the Pope offered heartfelt thanks, encouraging them to view each patient as an opportunity to renew their humanity.
He urged society not to exclude the elderly, the sick, or the vulnerable, quoting Pope Benedict XVI: “The true measure of humanity is determined by suffering.”
“Let us not banish suffering from our surroundings,” Pope Francis said. “Let us not exclude those who are frail. Let us allow God’s love to transform even suffering into a space of communion and growth.”
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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