Pope’s July prayer intention: For pastoral care of the sick

Vatican, July 2, 2024: Pope Francis has called upon Christians worldwide to dedicate their prayers in July 2024 towards enhancing the pastoral care of the sick, emphasizing the power of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The Pope underscores the sacrament’s role in providing spiritual healing and hope, urging a shift away from viewing it solely as a rite for the dying. According to Him, thinking this way means giving up every hope.

“Let us remember that the Anointing of the Sick is one of the ‘sacraments of healing,’ of ‘restoration,’ that heals the spirit,” said the Pope. Fr. Frédéric Fornos, SJ, International Director of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, highlighted Pope Francis’s intent to challenge misconceptions surrounding the sacrament. "The Pope invites Catholics to rediscover the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in its entirety," Fr. Fornos remarked.

The Pope emphasized that the sacrament offers solace and strength not only to the sick but also to their families and caregivers, reaffirming His prayer that it becomes an even more visible symbol of compassion and hope in our communities.

Courtesy: Vatican News