In a letter to Pope Francis, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and WCC moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm offered sincere prayers for his rapid recovery and renewed health in these coming days. 

“We know, too, that the Lord remains close to us in our pain and illness, that we are always secure in God’s hands, and that God is always at work to mend the world and its pain,” reads the letter. “We pray that you will experience God’s loving presence in a special way during these difficult days.”

Pillay and Bedford-Strohm expressed how much the World Council of Churches prizes the leadership and close companionship of Pope Francis on the shared ecumenical pilgrimage of faith. 

“May God’s healing and redemptive presence bring you comfort, confidence, and renewed vigour, so we may continue to walk, work, and pray together in the unity of the Spirit,” concludes the letter. “Please remain assured of our continued prayers for you.”

Following is the text of the WCC message to Pope Francis:

 “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for you are my praise.”—Jer 17:14

Dear Pope Francis,

We know that we speak for all Christians in our global ecumenical fellowship in the World Council of Churches, when we say that we are offering sincere prayers for your rapid recovery and renewed health in these coming days. 

We know, too, that the Lord remains close to us in our pain and illness, that we are always secure in God’s hands, and that God is always at work to mend the world and its pain. We pray that you will experience God’s loving presence in a special way during these difficult days.

Your Holiness, we in the World Council of Churches so prize your leadership and our close companionship on our shared ecumenical pilgrimage of faith. May God’s healing and redemptive presence bring you comfort, confidence, and renewed vigour, so we may continue to walk, work, and pray together in the unity of the Spirit. 

Please remain assured of our continued prayers for you.

Yours always in Christ,

Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
General Secretary

Bishop. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm
Moderator