On the morning of June 7th, before undergoing abdominal surgery at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Pope Francis prayed before the relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the patroness of missions.

The Pope underwent scheduled surgery for an incisional hernia, which developed on the scar left by previous surgeries.

Before the General Audience, the Pope spent a few moments in prayer before the relics and announced during his catechesis that he intends to dedicate an apostolic letter to the young saint.

"The relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the universal patroness of missions, are here before us. It is beautiful that this happens while we are reflecting on the passion for evangelization, on apostolic zeal," he said.

“Here before us are the relics of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, universal patroness of missions. It is good that this happens while we are reflecting on the passion for evangelization, on apostolic zeal", he said

"Today, then, let us allow the witness of St. Thérèse to help us. She was born 150 years ago, and I plan to dedicate an apostolic letter to her on this anniversary.”, he added.

At another moment, the Pope emphasized that St. Therese "lived devoted to God and forgetful of herself, loving and consoling Jesus, and interceding for the salvation of all."

In 2023, we celebrate 150 years since the saint's birth and 100 years since her beatification.

For this reason, the Pope has granted a Jubilee Year, which will extend until Sunday, January 7, 2024, with the theme "For Trust and Love", the last words of her autobiography, "Story of a Soul."

The reliquary of the French saint arrived at St. Peter's Square for the General Audience with Pope Francis after being taken on pilgrimage to the Philippines and Germany.

Sompaonline.com