At the invitation of the General Superior and her Council, the Cabrini Commission for Global Health brought together members of the local health works and ministries in Africa, Australia and Central America from April 2 to 6 to look at, compare, update and celebrate our being and our doing in the areas of health. We had special guest appearances, both in person and virtually. Monsignor Robert Vitillo, advisor to the Dicastery for the Service of Human Development of the Holy See, who describes himself as "Cabrinian at heart", presented to us the hard work that the Dicastery is carrying out in the field of health, human migration and other areas of integral human development. Professor Mushtaque Chowdhury shared his experience and work with us through BRAC, the large NGO of which he is co-founder. Some members of the global commission, such as Professor Ariel Pablos-Mendez, Professor Mario Raviglione and Ms. Sue Williams, CEO of Cabrini Australia, reported on very important issues relating to maternal and child health, and management and research in the health field. The world of health is in transition; statistics show us the great progress made, especially in low-income countries, and we are part of these numbers. We had the opportunity to see the actual situations of the different Ministries.
We are happy to learn anything that saves lives in every Cabrinian mission. It was also important to see the great challenges we face, especially because of funding cuts bylarge international donors. Successes and difficulties make us creative seekers of tangible elements of hope. We ended our first three days of work, inspired by new and creative ideas, new challenges and so much enthusiasm to move forward, knowing that, beyond statistics, our health services and ministries save human lives. On April 5 and 6, we made a pilgrimage of faith, in search of reconciliation with our personal and social situations. Aware that we are fragile people and in need of reconciliation, we were able to make a pilgrimage and enter through four Holy Doors, a symbolic gesture of those who are preparing to become the best version of themselves, especially in the field of health services. And the great surprise and the great gift was the greeting in person from our dear Pope Francis. He, like a sicker pilgrim, appeared in person in this Jubilee of the sick and of the health workers. It was indeed a moment of Grace. Today, as we were writing these recollections, we received the news that Pope Francis has returned to the Father's house. We are certain that God's mercy has already welcomed him, while we continue our pilgrimage in hope. We thank God who inspired Pope Francis to proclaim this Jubilee Year, our General Superior, Sr. Maria Eliane, who made our experience in Rome possible, and all those who made this meeting and these tangible signs of hope possible.
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