His Holiness Pope Francis’ July Prayer Intention: For Pastoral Care of the Sick

His Holiness Pope Francis releases his Prayer intention for the month of July, and invites Christians to pray that the Church might show God’s closeness to people enduring illness.

By Devin Watkins

“Let us pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick grant the Lord’s strength to those who receive it and to their loved ones, and that it may become for everyone an ever more visible sign of compassion and hope.”

His Holiness Pope Francis offered that invitation to Christians around the world in The Pope Video, which accompanies his monthly Prayer intention.

The Pope is inviting the Church to pray for the pastoral care of the sick during the month of July 2024.

In the video, he recalled that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is not only for people at death’s doorstep.

If someone thinks that a priest offering the sacrament means that they are about to die, said the Pope, they have embraced a hopeless vision.

“Let us remember that the Anointing of the Sick is one of the ‘sacraments of healing,’ of ‘restoration,’ that heals the spirit,” said the Pope.

He added that the sacrament is always available for people who are ill, especially the elderly.

“When a person is very ill,” he said, “it’s advisable to give them the Anointing of the Sick.”

His Holiness Pope Francis concluded by praying that the sacrament may become a more visible sign of compassion and hope.

Consolation in times of illness

A press release accompanying The Pope Video, which is produced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, said the video was filmed with help from the US dioceses of Allentown and Los Angeles…

This report was originally published on the website of Vatican News. Please click here to read the full text and listen to the report.