On February 11 Africa hosted the principal celebrations for World Day of the Sick for the first time in ten years, at the Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, in Yaoundé , Cameroon .

The pope's message for this 13 th World Day of the Sick, was released in September 2004. The message entitled "Christ, Hope for Africa " focusses mainly on AIDS. In it Pope John Paul II reminds the Christians of Africa of their commitment ten years ago to be "Good Samaritans" to their brothers and sisters in difficulties.

Drawing from the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa , he quotes "contemporary Africa can be compared to the man who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho; he fell among robbers who stripped him, beat him and departed, leaving him half dead (Lk 10: 30 -37)".

Africa , he writes, is a continent where numerous people are "lying. on the edge of the road, sick, injured, disabled, marginalised and abandoned" and Good Samaritans are gravely needed.

World Day of the Sick aims to stimulate reflection on health, whose fullest meaning alludes to the harmony of human beings with themselves and with the surrounding world. However, the Pope's message said that today this harmony is deeply disturbed.

Numerous diseases wreak havoc on the continent, including AIDS, "which is sowing suffering and death in many parts of Africa ".

The wars and conflicts afflicting many parts of the continent thwart interventions to prevent and treat these diseases. In refugee camps people survive without essential foods and in unhealthy conditions.

The Holy Father stressed that AIDS is also symptomatic of a "pathology of the spirit". Teaching respect for the sacred value of life and the correct approach to sexuality will help to fight AIDS responsibly.

Diseases contracted through sexual intercourse are numerous and can only be avoided by responsible conduct and the observance of the virtue of chastity.

Again quoting from his writings, Pope John Paul said, "The companionship, joy, happiness and peace which Christian marriage and fidelity provide, and the safeguard which chastity gives, must be continuously presented to the faithful, particularly the young."

He commended the pharmaceutical companies working to keep medicines for the treatment of AIDS at low costs and noted that various countries and institutions have made a coordinated effort and have supported practical campaigns for AIDS prevention and the care of the sick.

He said it is the task of the government and civil authorities to give clear, correct information to citizens and to earmark sufficient resources to provide health care education for young people. He also encouraged international organisations to defend human dignity, protect the inviolable right to life, and promote initiatives in this field that are inspired by wisdom and solidarity.

The Pontiff specially appealed to bishops of the Bishops' Conferences of other continents to generously join forces with the pastors of Africa to deal effectively with this and other emergencies.

Pope John Paul II pointed out that suffering is "a mystery in which Christ incorporates our lives in himself". The Holy Spirit has the power to console the suffering and open them to the mystery of the crucified Christ.

"The human being does not only aspire to physical or spiritual well-being, but to a 'health' that is expressed in total harmony with God, with self and with humanity. This goal can only be reached through the mystery of the passion, death and Resurrection of Christ."- KB