Pope Francis hails Argentine doctors and nurses as "unsung heroes" of the pandemic

Pope Francis hailed Argentine health workers as the "unsung heroes" of the coronavirus pandemic in a video message released Friday.

In the video, posted on the YouTube account of the Argentine bishops' conference on November 20, the pope expressed his appreciation for the doctors and nurses of his land.

He said: “You are the unsung heroes of this pandemic. How many of you have given their lives to be close to the sick! Thanks for the closeness, thanks for the tenderness, thanks for the professionalism with which you take care of the sick. "

The pope recorded the message ahead of Argentina's Nursing Day on November 21 and Doctors' Day on December 3. His words were introduced by Bishop Alberto Bochatey, auxiliary bishop of La Plata and president of the health commission of the Argentine bishops, who described them as "a surprise".

Argentina, which has a population of 44 million, has recorded more than 1.374.000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 37.000 deaths as of November 24, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, despite being subjected to the longest lockdown. of the world.

The pope often prayed for health workers when he celebrated daily masses broadcast in live streaming during this year's closure in Italy.

In May, he said the coronavirus crisis had shown governments needed to invest more in healthcare and hire more nurses.

In a message on International Nurses' Day on May 12, he said the pandemic had exposed the weaknesses of the world's health systems.

"For this reason, I would ask the leaders of nations around the world to invest in health care as a primary common good, strengthening its systems and employing a greater number of nurses, in order to guarantee adequate assistance to everyone, respecting the dignity of every person, ”he wrote.

In his message to Argentine health workers, the pope said: "I want to be close to all doctors and nurses, especially at this time when the pandemic calls us to be close to the men and women who suffer."

“I pray for you, I ask the Lord to bless each of you, your families, with all my heart, and to accompany you in your work and in the problems you may encounter. The Lord be close to you as you are close to the sick. And don't forget to pray for me "