April 20, 2025

Dear People of God, During his more than five weeks in the hospital, we watched the daily updates on Pope Francis’ health, praying for him as his condition was described as “worsening” and “critical.” The Holy Father’s illness gave us pause to reflect upon our own aging and the frailty that might accompany it. Anyone who is older and dealing with health issues knows that recovery can be challenging, often taking longer than they’d like. It is a process filled with uncertainty. Even now, as Pope Francis continues to recover at home, he is dealing with a regimen of oxygen treatments, physical therapy and medication. Like others dealing with illness, he may be asking his doctors, “Will I be OK?”…