Vatican children’s hospital patients make drawing for Pope Leo XIV

By Silvina Pérez –  Aboard flight to Madrid

Pope Leo XIV received a drawing made by the young patients of the Vatican’s Bambino Gesù Paediatric Hospital while on the flight en route to Spain. His Apostolic Journey will last from June 6 to 12.

A few strokes of marker, a yellow sun, a white airplane, and a Spanish flag: the drawing reflects the children’s vision of the Pope traveling among the clouds.

It was given to Pope Leo XIV by journalists from the Vatican’s media outlets who are aboard the papal flight.

Pope Leo XIV took it in his hands, studied it attentively, and smiled. For a few moments, his gaze lingered on the details: St. Peter’s keys drawn on the tail of the plane, the golden cross around the Pope’s neck as he looks out the window, and the large sun illuminating the entire scene. Then he thanked the journalists.

From the Bambino Gesù playroom to the papal plane

Behind those colors lies a story that begins long before take-off. It started in the playroom of the Bambino Gesù Paediatric Hospital amongst tables, a box of markers and scattered sheets of paper.

Around these tables gather children who come from different places but share the same experience: hospital wards, check-ups, therapies, endless waits, and small victories quietly celebrated.

It is in this setting that the gift for the Pope was born.

The work is led especially by 9-year-old Giulia. Next to her signature, she added a small heart, an almost imperceptible detail, that captures the spirit of the drawing.

This is not the first time the Pope has received a gift from the children being treated at the Vatican’s Paediatric Hospital. During Pope Leo’s Apostolic Journey to four African countries in April, the Bambino Gesù patients had already wanted to accompany him with one of their drawings.

The drawing was born in a hospital playroom and today arrived in the Pope’s hands. It will continue its journey a little longer, carrying with it the quiet voice of children who know fragility but have not given up on imagination. It is their way of saying: “Have a good visit!”