Gemelli Hospital probably receives letters of thanks all the time. But the letter the doctors, nurses, and staff received this time comes from a special patient: the Pope.

The Holy Father sent the letter below to Professor Carlo Fratta Pasini, President of the Council of Administration of the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation on July 15, the day after he returned to the Vatican following his July 4 colon surgery.

While nobody wants to have a health issue that requires going to the hospital, most are grateful — as Pope Francis clearly expresses — for the care and attention a hospital can give.

“As in a family, I really experienced a fraternal welcome and cordial concern, which made me feel at home,” the Pope wrote. “I was able to see for myself how essential human sensibility and scientific professionalism are in healthcare. Now I bear in my heart many faces, stories, and situations of suffering. The Gemelli is truly a small city in the City, where every day thousands of people arrive, bringing their expectations and worries.”

Following is the full letter sent by the Holy Father:

To Esteemed Professor Carlo Fratta Pasini

President of the Council of Administration

of the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation

Upon returning from my hospitalization, I feel the desire to address to you a grateful and affectionate thought and, through you, to all those that make up the great family of the Gemelli. As in a family, I really experienced a fraternal welcome and cordial concern, which made me feel at home.

I was able to see for myself how essential human sensibility and scientific professionalism are in healthcare. Now I bear in my heart many faces, stories, and situations of suffering. The Gemelli is truly a small city in the City, where every day thousands of people arrive, bringing their expectations and worries.

There, in addition to care of the body there is also, and I pray that there will always be, that of the heart, through integral care attentive to the person, capable of infusing consolation and hope in moments of trial. What each one of you does is not only a delicate and demanding job. It’s a work of mercy that, through the sick, comes into contact with the wounded flesh of Jesus.

I am grateful for having seen it, to keep it within me, and to bring it to the Lord. And in renewing my gratitude, I transmit to you, to the dear persons and to all those that make up the family of the Gemelli Hospital my Apostolic Blessing, asking to continue to pray for me.

Rome, Saint John Lateran, July 15, 2021

Francis

© Libreria Editrice Vatican

Translation by Virginia M. Forrester