Newborn Francesca Marina, named for Pope Francis and Italy's iconic St. Francis of Assisi, was doing well one day after her birth during a rescue from a migrant ship, officials said Tuesday.
The infant, a healthy 3 kg and 200 grams, was born to a young Nigerian woman fleeing for Europe on a migrant vessel making the dangerous crossing from North Africa.
The mother gave birth as she was rescued by the Italian Navy vessel Bettica, which docked in Salerno with 652 migrants on board.
The ship's captain Vincenzo Pascale said the young mother was in labour for six hours, assisted by a midwife who was onboard the Navy vessel.
In addition to the first name Francesca, the infant's second name Marina was chosen "in honour of our Navy," said Pascale.
The mother is well and in an area hospital, he said.
A second woman went into labour as the rescue vessel arrived in port, added Pascale.
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