Catholics should care for the sick, says Pope

Vatican City June 27 (IANS/AKI) Pope Francis urged Catholics to take care of the sick saying this made them an invaluable source of wealth for society and a conscious instrument of grace.

Every Christian filled with a desire to do good is a conscious instrument of grace Francis said on Monday at the Vatican in remarks to the Italian League for the Fight against Tumours.

Families affected by cancer need to be accompanied on a path of prevention that involves their various generations in a social solidarity pact the Pope stated.

But just as precious is the help from volunteers in collaboration with public and private health providers as well the assistance to families that allows them to continue their often wearing and relentless daily lives he said

Members of the Church are called by vocation and mission to be at the service of those who suffer offering support comfort and tenderness Francis observed.

The pontiff underlined the importance of helping those on the peripheries of society who have to deal with a disease like cancer.

Health is a primary and fundamental good for all he said stressing that cancer prevention should not be based on economic interests.

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