Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of December 2023, and invites everyone to pray that people with disabilities may be at the center of attention in our societies.

Pope Francis offered that invitation to Christians in The Pope Video released on Tuesday to accompany his monthly prayer intention for the universal Church.

In the video, the Pope acknowledged that people with disabilities “are among the most fragile among us.”

Accompanying everyone with ‘big hearts’

Pope Francis urged civil institutions to put in place projects that provide “access to education, employment, and places where they can express their creativity.”

Along with the inclusion of people with disabilities in society, the Pope said they need to be accompanied with “big hearts”.

“It means changing our mentality a little and opening ourselves to the abilities and talents of these people who are differently abled, both in society as well as in the life of the Church,” he said.

The Pope also invited the local churches to work toward increased access and involvement as integral members of parish life.

“Creating a completely accessible parish does not only mean eliminating physical barriers,” he said. “It also assumes that we stop talking about ‘them’ and start talking about ‘us’.”

“Let us pray that people with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society, and that institutions offer inclusion programs that enhance their active participation.”

Fonte: Vatican News