On December 19, Pope Francis met in Paul VI Audience Hall with children assisted by the Santa Marta pediatric dispensary. Founded in 1922, the pediatric dispensary (Italian-language website) assists children in need.

In gathering with children and their families, the Pope also celebrated his 85th birthday.

“If we don’t look people in the eye, we will never understand their needs,” he told the children. “A person who doesn’t listen to others only listens to oneself.”