Girl who delighted crowd meeting Pope John Paul II to meet Benedict XVI

Telegraph ^ | September 12, 2010 | Alastair Jamieson

[NYer]

She stole millions of hearts around the world when, as a girl, she was lifted from her wheelchair and carried by her mother to receive communion from Pope John Paul II during his visit to Britain in 1982.

Now, Rosemarie Stevenson is to make history again by meeting Pope Benedict during his visit later this month.

The 37-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, was eight when her mother Annette carried her up stairs in front of a cheering crowd of 300,000.

Millions of television viewers around the world also saw her take faltering steps towards Pope John Paul on the dais to receive her first communion.

She has now been invited by the Archdiocese of Glasgow to receive communion from Pope Benedict at the same venue, Bellahouston Park, on September 16.

Rosemarie, who went on to star in Peter Mullan's 1997 film Orphans, said she was "very excited" about the meeting.

"I was never bothered about the crowd, despite the noise," she said. "It was a real roar, like a rock concert.

"I've been asked about it all my life, even been recognised by people who saw it on television. It made a real difference to me, a big part of my life."

In addition to her film role, Rosemarie, from Glasgow, has been an actress in a number of television programmes including a government advertising campaign to tackle attitudes to disabilities.

"I was pleased to be in Orphans, playing a disabled character. A lot of times disabled characters are played by ordinary actors so it was a nice thing to be able to do."

She spends much of her time at a local centre that provides classes and activities for the disabled, and still attends church when possible.

[NYer]

Rosemarie Stevenson looks forward to a second meeting with the pope as he tours the UK Photo: Derek Blair/SCOTIMAGE.COM

[NYer]

Ping!

[devane617]

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[Cronos]

nice story