VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis does not ordinarily celebrate the sacrament of matrimony. But on July 9, he made an exception for a young Italian couple who were married in the chapel at his residence, Casa Santa Marta.

Teodoro Pisciottani and Paulina Szczepanska received the rare blessing of being united in marriage by the Holy Father, an unforgettable story that they will one day be able to tell to their children.

Teodoro and Paulina are the president and vice president, respectively, of the Padua chapter of the Deaf Youth Committee of Italy.

Additionally, Paulina is the daughter of a Vatican employee.

 

#PopeFrancis presides over the sacrament of Matrimony at Casa Santa Marta (9 Jul) pic.twitter.com/fiq1BCCTnv — Guido Marini Fanpage (@guidomarini_fan) July 17, 2016

 

According to Italian news site Ondanews.it, this is the first wedding that Francis has celebrated at Casa Santa Marta, the residence where he lives, which is administered by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

The chapel at Casa Santa Marta is where Pope Francis normally presides at daily Mass, Monday through Saturday. Those Masses are not currently celebrated, due to the summer break.