Pope Francis greeted 150
homeless in the Sistine Chapel Thursday, telling them "this is
your house".
Francis shook hands with those he met and told them:
"Welcome. This is the house of all, it is your house. The doors
are always open for all".
The pope thanked Papal Almoner Msgr Konrad Krajewski for
setting up the visit, which he described as a "small caress" for
the guests.
Francis added: "Pray for me. I need the prayers of people
like you".
The pontiff went on to bless the homeless, saying "May the
Lord keep you, help you along life's path and let you feel the
tender love of the Father".
Francis then said goodbye to all the street people
individually, spending another 20 minutes with his guests,
according to the deputy head of the Vatican press office, Father
Ciro Benedettini.
The homeless had entered the Vatican via St Peter's Gate
and got to the Vatican Museums by skirting the apse of St
Peter's Basilica.
After the meeting with the pope and the visit to the
Sistine Chapel they headed off at about 18:00 to the refreshment
centre inside the museums.
After dining they will leave the museums by the same route
they took to get in.
The visit, quickly blessed by the pope when Cardinal
Krajewski put it to him recently, is the latest papal effort for
Rome's poor and homeless, many of whom sleep rough around the
Vatican.
Francis recently had special showers for the homeless
installed in Bernini's famous colonnade.
Before that he laid on a barber's service for street people
to get their hair cut and have a wash and brush-up.
http://popefrancisnewsapp.com/
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
