Vatican City, Dec 7, 2013 / 17:39 pm
Pope Francis released his message for the World Day of the Sick Dec. 7, emphasizing the important role of hope both for those who suffer and for their caregivers.
"When we come together, with tenderness, with those who have need of care, we carry the hope and the smile of God in contradiction to the world," said the Pope's message.
Because of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, Pope Francis explained, "we are placed in this world before the mystery of God's love for us, which fills us with hope and courage: hope, because in the design of God's love even the night of suffering opens to the Easter light; and courage, to confront every adversity in his company, united to Him."
In becoming man and taking on human suffering, Jesus transformed and reshaped our experience of pain.