“Why do children suffer?” Pope Francis asked a group of children with serious illnesses and disabilities and their parents on May 29, Catholic News Agency reported.

The Holy Father answered with a question he might ask God while gazing at the cross: “Why is your Son there?”

“It is the mystery of the cross,” he said.

Pope Francis told the children to not be afraid of asking and challenging God with the question “Why?” — even if the only answer God gives is: “Even my Son suffered.”

“But this is the answer,” the Pope said. “And your strength is there: the loving gaze of the Father.”

He assured them: “You are the little heroes of life.”