CNS PHOTO | PAUL HARING One of 20,000 boxes containing a rosary, a Divine Mercy holy card and a medicinal-style instruction sheet is pictured Nov. 18.

Pope Francis admitted he isn’t a pharmacist, but he didn’t hesitate serving as the spokesman for the heart-healthy benefits of 59 little pills strung together: the rosary.

“I want to recommend some medicine for all of you,” the pope said Nov. 17 at the end of his Sunday Angelus address. “It’s a spiritual medicine.”

Holding up a white medicine box with an anatomical drawing of the human heart on it, Pope Francis said the boxes contained a rosary.

“Don’t forget to take it,” the pope said. “It’s good for your heart, for your soul, for your whole life.”

Praying the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will help people reap the fruits of the Year of Faith, he said. They are “a spiritual aid for our soul and for spreading love, forgiveness and brotherhood to everyone.”

Volunteers gave away about 20,000 boxes containing a rosary, a Divine Mercy holy card and a medical-style instruction sheet.

The information sheet states that no negative side effects have been reported from praying the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

The sheet recommends daily use of the beads for both adults and children, but adds that it can be repeated as often as necessary.

It also notes that receiving the sacraments increases the efficacy of the prescription.