Children from War Zones Bring Message of Hope to the Vatican
On a Saturday morning, Father Marcin Schmidt embarked on a heartwarming journey with a group of children, predominantly from war-torn areas, to visit the Vatican. Despite their difficult circumstances, these children carried with them a powerful message of hope.
By Alessandro De Carolis
Imagine children missing limbs sitting in awe before the Pope, their faces lit up with joy at being in a place where they can marvel at a beautiful building instead of cowering in fear of bombs. This was the scene as about thirty children from Ukraine, Palestine, Belarus, and Indonesia gathered to meet with Pope Francis.
As part of World Children’s Day, Father Marcin Schmidt organized this visit, hoping to shed light on the experiences of these courageous children. Speaking with Vatican News, he shared the touching moments that unfolded during their time with the Pontiff.
A Grandfather’s Embrace
Describing the Pope’s warm welcome, Father Schmidt likened it to that of a loving grandfather embracing his grandchildren with a big smile and great joy. As the children shared their heartbreaking stories, Pope Francis responded softly with words of empathy.
Among the children were survivors from a hospital in Lviv, Ukraine, some of whom had lost limbs and parents. Accompanied by their dedicated doctors, Father Schmidt commended their life-saving efforts.
Symbols of Resilience
One remarkable young girl, Yana, had recently run the Boston Marathon with prosthetic legs. Seeing her resilience, Pope Francis found hope in her spirit, noting that Ukrainian children, despite their struggles, often find it difficult to smile.
However, Father Schmidt did not shy away from addressing the darker aspects of their experiences, including the harrowing realities of children being trafficked for organs and parents treating their children as commodities.
A Celebration of Childhood
Despite the hardships these children faced, their day at the Vatican was a celebration of childhood, filled with smiles that only children can exude, unburdened by the world’s ugliness. Father Schmidt also mentioned the “Order of the Smile,” an international award given by children to adults, which Pope Francis proudly received four years ago.
As the audience drew to a close, Father Schmidt expressed gratitude to the Pope for his hospitality, to which Pope Francis responded in Ukrainian: “Slava Isusu Khrystu,” meaning “Praised be Jesus Christ.” It was a poignant end to a day filled with resilience, hope, and the enduring spirit of these extraordinary children.
