Pope Francis concluded Wednesday's general audience in St Peter's
Square in Rome by kissing a man covered in growths and joining him in prayer.
Photos of the pontiff embracing the severely disfigured man have
gone viral online, with commenters praising the pope for his compassion and
kindness.
In Italian press, the pope has drawn comparisons to his
illustrious namesake, St Francis of Assisi - a revered 13th century holy
figure, who according to legend kissed a leper he had encountered on a road
after receiving a message from God.
Act of kindness: Pope Francis (left) comforts a man covered in
boils in Saint Peter's Square at the end of his General Audience in Vatican
City
Touching moment: The pontiff kissed the worshiper, who suffers
from a rare disease called neurofibromatosis, which is genetic and not
contagious
Images of Pope Francis comforting the ailing worshiper were taken
at the end of the general audience Wednesday, when a man covered in neuronal
tumors approached the leader of the Catholic Church asking for a
blessing.
Famous namesake: The
pope has drawn comparisons to St Francis of Assisi - a revered 13th century
holy figure, who according to legend kissed a leper
The man reportedly suffers from a rare and painful disease called
neurofibromatosis, which causes growths, impaired vision and in some cases
cancer, according to the Catholic News Agency.
Patients suffering from the ailment, which is genetic and not
contagious - are often shunned by society because of their appearance.
Pope Francis has been widely praised for his common touch and
accessibility.
Since being elected to the Holy See earlier this year, the pontiff
has made headlines around the world by washing the feet of juvenile
delinquents, personally calling distraught worshipers on the phone and inviting
homeless people to dine at St Peter's Square.
On Wednesday, the leader of the world’s 1.3billion Catholics was
greeting pilgrims following his weekly public audience when he took a break to
comfort the disfigured believer.
Pope Francis then kissed the man on the face and blessed him. He
was photographed with his eyes tightly shut in prayer.
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