Pope Francis’ much loved human touch was on display on Friday when he made a surprise visit to a community in Italy which houses and cares for persons who have severe mental disabilities.
CNA provided the above video of the visit which was part of the Pope’s “Mercy Friday” initiative, in which he carries out one act of mercy a month on a Friday throughout the Jubilee of Mercy.
The Holy Father sat at table and ate with the volunteers and the disabled, and listened to their testimonies.
The Il Chicco center, located in Ciampino, a town just outside of Rome, was founded in 1981 by L'Arche, a federation dedicated to making known the gifts of persons with intellectual disabilities. It houses 18 persons with disabilities.