ICN sends condolences for Pope Francis

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has written to the Catholic Church and its followers on the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, expressing sorrow and offering condolences on behalf of the world’s nurses.

ICN President Dr Pamela Cipriano said: “Throughout his life, Pope Francis was a remarkable and compassionate leader who touched the lives of millions of people around the world with his tireless efforts to promote peace, justice and care for the environment. His unwavering commitment to the well-being of humanity and the sanctity of life aligns closely with the values that nurses uphold every day.”

In January 2020, Pope Francis spoke in a sermon to thousands of pilgrims in St Peter’s Square about the launch of the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife and asked the faithful to pray for nurses: “"Let us pray for them all that they may do their precious work in the best possible way."

As we all know, within weeks the COVID-19 pandemic had spread around the world, and the Pope’s comments were greatly appreciated by the global nursing family, and a comfort to many nurses of different faiths and none.

On International Nurses Day, 12 May 2020, Pope Francis said that, through the tragedy of coronavirus, the world had rediscovered the fundamental role of nurses, one that makes them “the guardians of life”.

He said: “They dedicate themselves to the point of putting their own health at risk,” adding that, sadly, this has been demonstrated through the high number of healthcare workers who have died “as a result of their faithful service.”

His Holiness expressed his support of nurses throughout the pandemic and sent a message of support to the world’s nurses at ICN’s Virtual Congress in 2021, again expressing his admiration for them and the work that they do. His message to the global nursing community was warmly received and spoke of his deep humanity and inclusivity at that particular challenging time.

Former ICN President Annette Kennedy met Pope Francis at a conference on human trafficking in the Vatican in 2022. She said talking with him had re-energised her own resolve to do all she could to work with nurses and communities to help rid the world of human trafficking.