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CV NEWS FEED // Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis consistently demonstrated genuine compassion for his flock by embracing the sick, blessing families and expectant mothers, and comforting refugees, the homeless, and prisoners.
A particularly striking moment occurred in November 2013 when Pope Francis tenderly embraced and blessed Vinicio Riva, a man afflicted with neurofibromatosis, a condition marked by painful tumors and physical deformities.
In March 2015, the Holy Father welcomed 150 homeless individuals to the Vatican Museums, culminating in a private tour of the Sistine Chapel.
During the visit, Pope Francis addressed his guests, saying, “Welcome. This is everyone’s house, and your house. The doors are always open for all.”
In April 2016, Pope Francis visited the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. Moved by the plight of refugees, he brought 12 Syrian refugees, including six children, back to Rome, offering them shelter in the Vatican. These families, all of whom were Muslim and had lost their homes to bombings during the Syrian civil war, were offered shelter and support within the Vatican.
The Pope also frequently visited hospitals and care facilities, comforting and praying with those suffering and their families.
In March 2023, while receiving treatment for bronchitis at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis visited the pediatric oncology and neurosurgery wards. During his visit, he baptized a newborn named Miguel Ángel, who had suffered a serious head injury. The Pope used a tray of sterile water as a makeshift baptismal font.
After performing the baptism, the pope reassured the child’s mother, saying, “He is a Christian now. When you go to the parish, tell them the Pope baptized him.”
Miguel Ángel made a full recovery.
The following month, upon his discharge from the hospital, Pope Francis paused to pray with parents mourning the loss of their child.
The Holy Father also frequently took time during audiences to bless expectant mothers, placing his hand on their abdomens and offering prayers for their unborn children.
Pope Francis demonstrated a deep commitment to prison ministry, visiting a total of 15 prisons during his tenure, both in Italy and abroad, including a visit to Bolivia’s notorious Palmasola prison in July 2015.
In March 2013, Pope Francis marked a historic first by conducting the Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual at Rome’s Casal del Marmo juvenile detention center. There, he washed and kissed the feet of 12 young detainees, including two women and two Muslims.
Continuing this practice in March 2024, Pope Francis visited the women’s section of Rome’s Rebibbia prison for the Holy Thursday ceremony. From his wheelchair, he washed and kissed the feet of 12 inmates, some of them moved to tears.
In December 2024, Pope Francis again visited Rome’s Rebibbia prison, where he opened a Holy Door for the Jubilee of Hope, marking the first time such a ceremony occurred in a correctional facility.
Addressing inmates, the Holy Father stressed the importance of maintaining hope despite challenging circumstances.
“Do not lose hope. This is the message I want to give you; to everyone, to all of us. I am the first. Everyone. Don’t lose hope. Hope never disappoints. Never,” he said.
“I wish you much peace, much peace,” Pope Francis told the inmates. “And every day I pray for you. Really. It’s not a figure of speech. I think of you and I pray for you. And you pray for me.”
