VATICAN – Pope Francis on Sunday welcomed health professionals as heroes for their ministry every day, not just during pandemicasking the audience in St. Peter’s Square to join him in applause.

Francis clapped his hands in “great gratitude” to the health workers, including volunteers caring for the sick. Italy celebrated Sunday as a national day to pay tribute to health professionals.

The National Professional Association of Physicians and Dentists has 370 physicians who have died from COVID-19 in Italy.

“We must remember the many doctors, nurses, volunteers who are close to the sick, treat them, make them feel better, help them,” said Francis in his weekly appearance from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking the square.

No one is saving themselves, Francis said. “In sickness we need someone who saves us, who helps.”

He welcomed “the heroic health staff who spoke out about this heroism during the COVID era, but the heroism remains every day.”

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“For our doctors, nurses, volunteers, applause and thank you very much,” said Franciszek. He then started clapping his hands, and hundreds of people in the square below also did so.

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Follow the coverage of the AP pandemic https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

VATICAN – Pope Francis on Sunday welcomed health professionals as heroes for their ministry every day, not just during pandemicasking the audience in St. Peter’s Square to join him in applause.

Francis clapped his hands in “great gratitude” to the health workers, including volunteers caring for the sick. Italy celebrated Sunday as a national day to pay tribute to health professionals.

The National Professional Association of Physicians and Dentists has 370 physicians who have died from COVID-19 in Italy.

“We must remember the many doctors, nurses, volunteers who are close to the sick, treat them, make them feel better, help them,” said Francis in his weekly appearance from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking the square.

No one is saving themselves, Francis said. “In sickness we need someone who saves us, who helps.”

He welcomed “the heroic health staff who spoke out about this heroism during the COVID era, but the heroism remains every day.”

Advertising

“For our doctors, nurses, volunteers, applause and thank you very much,” said Franciszek. He then started clapping his hands, and hundreds of people in the square below also did so.

___

Follow the coverage of the AP pandemic https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic