Children Try to Cheer Pope Francis During His Hospital Stay

Flying balloons in the Vatican colors of yellow and white, dozens of children gathered on Sunday in the square of the Policlinico A. Gemelli, where Pope Francis has been hospitalized for more than four weeks, and chanted “Papa Francesco” and cheered, “Viva la Pace” — hurray for peace.

Many held up signs, hoping that the pope might peek out of the windows of his 10th-floor hospital suite to see their art. They offered encouragement, wishing that the pope get well soon. One boy with a boisterous group of blue-and-yellow capped “castorini,” or beavers, as children too young to be Cub Scouts are known in Italy, held a sign that said “Ciao Papa Cesco, I love you a lot.”

The pope did not appear, but he acknowledged the children’s presence in his traditional Sunday blessing and prayer.

“I know that many children are praying for me; some of them came here today to Gemelli as a sign of closeness,’’ the pontiff said in offering his traditional Sunday blessing, which was not delivered live for the fifth time. “Thank you, dearest children! The pope loves you and is always waiting to meet you,’’ Francis wrote.

The Rev. Enzo Fortunato, the president of the pontifical committee for World Children’s Day, who organized the gathering, said “children transmit joy” and their presence in the square was a “symbolic medicine for Pope Francis.”

The posters and letters will be saved and waiting for the pope when he returns to the Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where the pontiff lives, Father Fortunato said, adding he was certain that the pope would personally respond to the messages when he’s able to.