ADDRESS OF POPE FRANCIS TO THE NATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF THE “MISERICORDIE” OF ITALY ON THE OCCASION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF ITS MEETING WITH POPE JOHN PAUL II ON 14 JUNE 1986
Saint Peter's Square
[…] The “Misericordie”, an age-old expression of the Catholic laity firmly rooted in the Italian territory, are committed to witness the Gospel of charity among people who are sick, elderly, disabled, among minors, immigrants and the poor. All of your service derives meaning and form from this word: “misericordia” [mercy], a Latin word whose etymological meaning is “miseris cor dare”, to “give the heart to the wretched”, those in need, those who are suffering. […]
