Later on, Benedict XV gave his "thought to the health workers operating in the whole world, well aware of the importance of their service in favour of the sick within our society". Above all, went on the Pope, "I wish to manifest my spiritual closeness and my affection to our sick brothers and sisters, especially recalling the ones who have been struck by the most serious and painful diseases. In particular, in this Day, we pay attention to them". According to the Holy Father, "It is necessary to foster the development of palliative therapies offering the patient complete assistance, and giving the incurable sick the human support and the spiritual counselling which they highly need". Then, Benedict XVI recalled the appointment of yesterday afternoon, at St. Peter’s Basilica, where "numerous sick and pilgrims gathered before Cardinal Camillo Ruini", for the Eucharistic celebration. "At the end of the Holy Mass, said the Pope yesterday morning, – like last year, I will linger with them with joy, repeating the spiritual atmosphere one can feel at the Grotto of Massabielle". "Now, through the Angelus prayer, he concluded – I would like to entrust the sick and the people in the whole world who suffer in the body and in the mind, to the motherly protection of the Immaculate Virgin". ” “
