Pope Francis celebrates his message of inclusion and sympathy, Died at the age of 88 on Mondayonly one day Unexpected In St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
Pope Francis, known as a symbol of unity and hope, showed grace and kindness to people around the world. These are some of the most heart-warming and memorable moments of his 12-year pope.
Allow children to walk to the altar during Mass
Pope Francis often holds mass for the pope audience in the Vatican. In more than once, the children walked to the altar during the Mass – many times the Pope did not ask them to leave.
In 2019, a young girl in a shirt reading “Love” walked to the Pope at Mass, clapping her hands and walking around. The pope said to the Italians: “Let her stay, God speaks for the child, let her stay, let her stay.”
Reuters
Similarly, in 2018, a little boy slipped away from his mother during Mass, walked around the Pope’s podium and touched the Guard’s spear. “He is Argentinian and is unruly,” according to Reuters. The pope joked that Georg Gänswein, the head of the pope’s family, sat next to him.
Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images 
The pope told security to keep the boy.
“This kid can’t speak. He is silent. But he can communicate. He knows how to express himself,” Reuters said. “He is free, free and unruly. But he is free. He reminds me of myself. Am I so free before God?”
Invite cancer survivors with Down syndrome to ride in Popemobile
A 12-year-old boy who had Down syndrome in 2018 Peter Lombardi Stopped his pop eyes and kissed his head.
The Pope then allowed the boy who defeated leukemia to enter Popemobile, the designated vehicle the Pope used in public appearances.
In the video captured by the family guide, the boy’s mother says Peter “beats cancer by God’s grace.”
Do tips with the Harlem Global Traveler in Rome
When Pope Francis brought his performance to Rome in 2015, he met Harlem Globetrotters, known for his basketball skills to entertain audiences.
The group made the Pope an honorary member and presented a No. 90 jersey with “Pope Francis” on the back. He even tried one of their signature tricks: spinning the basketball with his fingers.
Perform with the Cuban Circus
Pope Francis practiced his ball spinning skills again when he visited Rome in 2019.
The group joined the pope in the weekly average audience, and the performer helped him spin the ball with his index finger.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images 
Feeding and feeding tigers
Pope Francis tried a bolder stunt when celebrating circus performers in 2016: Footing the tiger.
The Pope held a Jubilee Year for circus and carnival performers, street performers, and more, congratulations on bringing their art to the poor and homeless, prisoners, and putting their young people in a disadvantaged group. ”
“You did something great,” he said in his speech. “You are the celebration, surprised ‘craftsman; you are the craftsman of beauty: With these qualities, you enrich the society of the whole world and also desire to nourish the feeling of hope and trust.”
Giuseppe Ciccia/Nurphoto by Getty Images 
Blessing the eyes of a blind child
Pope Francis regularly visits people with disabilities, recently visited the Centre for Children of the Blind in Hungary in 2023, and the Irmãs Alma School for Children with Disabilities in Dili, East Timor in 2024.
In 2016, he was photographed to bless a 5-year-old girl with a genetic disease that led to blindness. Lizzy Myers from Ohio has a bucket list to see the world before losing sight completely. Rome is on the list and she must meet the pope when her family visits.
Signed by Harley-Davidson
In 2019, Pope Francis welcomed the Christian motorcycle group Jesus cyclists from Austria and signed on to Harley-Davidson, a group known as “Holy Davidson.”
According to BBC News, the price later auctioned for more than $55,700, the proceeds of building an orphanage in Uganda.
Massimo Valicchia/Nurphoto by Getty Images 
Visiting children in hospital
Pope Francis spent his time at the Docklin Hospital of Agostino Jagilly University in Rome when he recovered from abdominal surgery in 2023 Go to see a pediatric cancer patient.
After undergoing surgery to repair hernia, the Vatican released images showing the pope visiting children, parents and medical staff in a wheelchair in the corridor of the pediatric oncology ward.
Vatican Media/Handout 
Share his 87th birthday cake with kids
When he turned 87 on December 17, 2023, Pope Francis celebrated at Santa Marta Pharmacy, a medical institution in the Vatican City, to help children and women in need.
In the video of the celebration, the children sang “Happy Birthday” to the Pope and asked them to wipe the icing from his cake.
Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images 
Meet “Spider-Man” Mattia Villardita
Pope Francis met Mattia Villardita, who visited the hospital’s children in full costume as Spider-Man while attending audiences in Vatican City in 2021.
Franco Origlia/Getty Images 
