Each year, around 1 million children under 20 die because of these illnesses, which could be treated or effectively prevented with adequate access to healthcare treatment. These conditions are often caused by genetic, metabolic, or environmental factors that challenge healthcare systems around the globe, and highlight the urgency of a more robust response that guarantees the dignity of children, access to palliative care, and holistic protection for those most at risk.
This February, the Holy Father invites the entire Church and all people of goodwill to join in praying for children who are suffering and extremely vulnerable, together with their families and those who care for them.
The Holy Father asks that “they may never lack proper medical care, human and compassionate attention, and the support of a community that accompanies them with love”. At the same time, he prays for families, that they might be sustained in hope and by doctors, nurses, and caregivers, and that their care might always be an expression of active compassion, patience, and tenderness.
