These days, Pope Francis’ illness has led to prayers for him all over the world and also to an increase in love for the Roman Pontiff.

Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei, said: love the Holy Father very much, pray a lot for the Pope, love him very much, love him very much because he needs the affection of his children. The Pope must know that he is very much loved.

Specifically, all of us, for the love of Pope Francis, can offer prayers, time of work, and small mortifications.

I think that some brief considerations taken from the informative and scientific book that, this February, I published on Amazon are just right: “Biography of the Claretian priest José Mª Solé Romá: AN IMMENSE LOVE FOR THE ROMAN PONTIFF”. As Monsignor Jaume Pujol, Archbishop Emeritus of Tarragona, says in his introduction: “Mn. Josep Mª has especially stressed that Father Solé loved the Pope very much, offering him, out of love, his sufferings as a sacrifice that lasted almost eleven years. I am sure that this will motivate many faithful to love the Vicar of Christ even more.”

Since May 10, 1981, Father Solé suffered continuous and great pain, caused by a bullet that had broken a nerve in two. But, when he heard about the suffering of Pope John Paul II, who three days later suffered an attack, he offered his pains for the Vicar of Christ. He was so happy to be able to help the Pope with the offering of his suffering that, even if they could have taken away his pains, he would not have wanted to. Helping the one whom Saint Catherine of Siena calls the sweet Christ on earth was a great ideal for him, a beautiful ideal that filled his heart and made his eyes shine. Carrying this heavy cross on his shoulders, and with this grace, lasted ten years and eleven months. The nuns of a beautiful orchard, the monastery of the Minims of Valls (Tarragona), express how high he carried the cross: Father Solé was “happy and jovial, as if his arm belonged to another person… Always with a smile on his lips… he looked like an angel.”

How can a person who suffers so much be so happy? The explanation is clear and simple, clear and transparent like the purest water: it is sweet to suffer for the father whom one loves with all one’s heart.

The consequence of this is clear: if Father Solé was able to carry such a heavy cross for love of the one who takes the place of Christ on earth, we too can make an effort to pray for the Supreme Pontiff. If Father Solé maintained this strenuous attitude for almost eleven years, we too can help the Pope daily with prayer, even if his illness lasts for many days. The value of perseverance is great.

Father Solé’s experience also puts before our eyes something that is the presupposition of his attitude. That is, the cross that a person carries, although heavy, will weigh less if it is carried by more people, on more shoulders. It is the dogma of the communion of saints. Prayer for others can do much!

We have all heard the words of Pope Francis, spoken with great difficulty, thanking for prayers, knowing that he is comforted by the requests of so many children. A truly beautiful and moving gesture!

In short, Pope Francis’ illness allows our souls to take flight in the song of filial love, composed of prayers and small sacrifices. A beautiful bonfire of love that must rise from all points of the earth! Thus, the Pope, in the midst of his illness, will see Himself as the most beloved father on earth!