The world needs the "miracle of tenderness" brought by people who accompany those experiencing illness or adversity, Pope Francis wrote.

From the time he arrived at Rome's Gemelli hospital for breathing difficulty and pain Feb. 14, "I think of the many people who in various ways are close to the sick, and who are for them a sign of the Lord's presence," he wrote in a message prepared for the midday Angelus March 9. The Vatican published the text at noon.

"Brothers and sisters, during my prolonged hospitalization here, I too experience the thoughtfulness of service and the tenderness of care, in particular from the doctors and health care workers, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart," the text said.

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"We need this, the 'miracle of tenderness' which accompanies those who are in adversity, bringing a little light into the night of pain," it said.

The last time Pope Francis appeared in St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus was at the end of Mass marking the conclusion of the Jubilee of the Armed Services, Police and Security Personnel Feb. 9.

Since the pope was hospitalized and later diagnosed with double pneumonia, he has not appeared in public, and the Sunday Angelus address has been distributed as a brief written message to accompany the Angelus prayer at midday.

The pope noted the celebration of Mass in St. Peter's Square that morning to mark the conclusion of the Jubilee of the World of Volunteering.

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"In our societies, too enslaved to market logic, where everything risks being subject to the criterion of interest and the quest for profit, volunteering is prophecy and a sign of hope because it bears witness to the primacy of gratuitousness, solidarity and service to those most in need," the pope's text said.

"I express my gratitude to those who are engaged in this field: thank you for offering your time and abilities; thank you for the closeness and tenderness with which you care for others, reawakening hope in them," it said.

The pope recalled the period of Lent, which began March 5, is a "40-day-long penitential itinerary that calls us to the conversion of the heart and leads us to the joy of Easter. Let us commit ourselves to making it a time of purification and spiritual renewal, a path of growth in faith, hope and charity."

In his message, the pope also thanked "all those who are showing their closeness to me in prayer: heartfelt thanks to you all! I pray for you too."

He said he would be joining spiritually with those participating in the Roman Curia's Lenten retreat, which will be held March 9-14 in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall. The meditations will be led by Capuchin Father Roberto Pasolini, the new preacher of the papal household, and reflect on the theme, "The hope of eternal life."

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The pope concluded his message by urging Catholics to continue to pray and "invoke the gift of peace" for all nations experiencing war, especially, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Congo.

"In particular, I have learned with concern of the resumption of violence in some areas of Syria: I hope that they cease definitively, with full respect for all ethnic and religious components of society, especially civilians," his text said.