At the end of the Nov. 6 general audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope
Francis drew attention by warmly embracing a man who suffers from a
rare disease causing neuronal tumors all over his body.
The man was identified as suffering from neurofibromatosis, which causes
great pain and can result in impaired vision, learning impairnment, and
even cancer, according to non-profit research group Mayo Clinic.
Treatment of the condition is very complicated.
People with this disease – which is genetic and not contagious – often face discrimination because of their appearance.
As he carried out his typical greeting of pilgrims at the conclusion of
the general audience, Pope Francis paused for several minutes to receive
the sick man in his arms.
Moments later, he took the man’s face in his hands, kissed him, and gave him a blessing.
The gesture is the latest in a series of actions by the Holy Father that
have drawn attention for their warmth and affection towards the
marginalized in society.
Previously, the Pope made headlines by visiting
imprisoned youth, responding to letters with personal phone calls, and
inviting the local homeless to dine at St. Peter’s Square.