From the Student Senate and the Students of Bethlehem University

His Holiness Pope Francis, Vatican City

“Your Holiness,

With admiration and respect, with gratitude and heartfelt concern, we, the Student Senate, the Christian Youth Group, and the students of Bethlehem University, write to you in this time of your illness to express our solidarity, support, and prayers for your healing.

In your Advent letter to us, you told us to ‘never seek to “go it alone”’—indeed, if you visited campus today, you would find Bethlehem University to be a vibrant place of Muslim-Christian encounter and companionship, united by our desire for excellence, service, and peace. We are grateful for your prayers and encouragement.

We do not want you to “go it alone” either; we raise our united voice in prayer for your speedy recovery in order to keep raising your voice for peace, for justice, and for the respect of the dignity of every human being. We are grateful for your witness to God’s love.

From Bethlehem, from the birthplace of Christ, we invoke blessings upon you in this vulnerable time:

May God the most merciful guide your doctors, restore your health, and renew your strength to serve the Church who is learning to serve the world alongside you. Amen.

With unity in prayer and hope,
The Student Senate, the Christian Youth Group, and the Students of Bethlehem University, Palestine