Clapping, cheering, cries accompany pope at children's hospital

Published: 2005-09-30

ROME (CNS) -- Accompanied by the sounds of clapping, cheering and some tiny, piercing cries, Pope Benedict XVI visited Rome's only children's hospital, the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesu (Baby Jesus) Hospital. The pope spent almost two hours at the hospital Sept. 30, speaking briefly to top staff members, but mostly greeting the small patients and their parents in patient rooms, the corridors and courtyard. Some of the patients were smiling broadly, some were sad and several were just plain sleepy, snuggling into a mother's or father's arms as the pope kissed their foreheads and blessed them. The pope said he wanted Bambino Gesu to be the first hospital he visited as pope not only because it is a Vatican-related institution, but also "to give witness myself to Jesus' love for children, a love which flows spontaneously from the heart and which the Christian spirit increases and reinforces." Pope Benedict said, "In every suffering person, and even more if he or she is small and defenseless, it is Jesus who welcomes us and awaits our love."

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