Pope thanks volunteers for ‘miracle of tenderness’ as his recovery continues

Members of different organizations of volunteers follow Cardinal Michael Czerny, delegate of Pope Francis. celebrating a mass for the world of volunteers in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis issued a message on Sunday thanking volunteers for the “miracle of tenderness” they offer the sick, as he continued his recovery from double pneumonia and doctors reported some positive news. After more than three weeks in the hospital, the 88-year-old pope is responding well to treatment and has shown a “gradual, slight improvement” in recent days.

For the fourth Sunday in a row, the 88-year-old Francis didn’t appear for his weekly noon blessing, but the Vatican distributed the text he would have delivered if he were well enough. In it, the Argentine pope thanked all those who were caring for him and others who are sick and experiencing a “night of pain”.