杏MAP导航

For over ninety years the Santa Marta Dispensary has provided medical assistance to children and families in need and is based just a stone鈥檚 throw away from the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 residence inside the Vatican.

The Dispensary was established in 1922 by 杏MAP导航 Pius XI, and was visited by 杏MAP导航 Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2005. In the Paul VI hall on Sunday, 杏MAP导航 Francis was greeted by 800 people, including volunteers, doctors, nurses and families assisted by the Dispensary.

Children teach us to humble ourselves

In words of thanks to those gathered, the 杏MAP导航 said that if Our Lady had lived in Rome she would have taken Jesus to this dispensary, for sure. The 杏MAP导航 noted that 鈥渨orking with children is not easy, but it teaches us a lot鈥�, he said. 鈥淚t teaches me one thing: that in order to understand the reality of life, you have to lower yourself, as we lower ourselves to kiss a child. They teach us this. The proud, the proud cannot understand life, because they are not able to lower themselves.  鈥淎ll of us鈥� , 杏MAP导航 Francis continued, 鈥減rofessionals, organizers, nuns, all - give many things to children, but they give us this announcement, this teaching: to lower oneself. Lower yourself, be humble, and in this way you will learn to understand life and people. And all of you have this ability to lower yourselves. Thank you so much for this, thank you so much!鈥�

Christmas and Birthday greetings

On the occasion of the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 Birthday, which he celebrates on December 17th, a large cake had been prepared. After wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, 杏MAP导航 Francis joked, 鈥淚 hope there is no indigestion with that big cake!鈥�