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Pope Francis takes teen with Down syndrome for a spin on the Popemobile
Life Site News ^ | June 19, 2013 | JOHN JALSEVAC

Posted on 06/20/2013 6:20:23 AM PDT by NYer

Photo: Associated Press

June 19, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – During his usual drive around St. Peter’s Square following his Wednesday general audience today, Pope Francis stopped to embrace a teen with Down syndrome.

But when the teen then pointed up to the Popemobile, Pope Francis invited him to join him on the famous vehicle. 

The teen sat in the pope’s white seat while the Popemobile continued to wade through the crowds of tens of thousands, and the pontiff greeted the faithful. 

The teen’s father told the Associated Press that he choked up when he saw the pope approaching. “The pope saw him, embraced him. Then Alberto pointed to the car, and so he brought him up!” he said. 

Since his election, Pope Francis has repeatedly shown special attention to those with disabilities, often descending from the Popemobile to greet and embrace them. 

Photos of the pontiff embracing Dominic Gondreau, who has cerebral palsy, following his Easter Sunday Mass this year quickly rocketed around the globe. 


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events
KEYWORDS: downs; popemobile

1 posted on 06/20/2013 6:20:23 AM PDT by NYer
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To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; SumProVita; ...

Just when you think he has run out of surprises .. he amazes us with another.


2 posted on 06/20/2013 6:20:58 AM PDT by NYer ( "Run from places of sin as from the plague."--St John Climacus)
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To: NYer

What a man, and so perfect for pope.


3 posted on 06/20/2013 6:22:22 AM PDT by Da Coyote
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To: All
And from Life News ...

In what pro-life advocate are cheering as another celebration of life from newly-minted Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church invited a teen with Down Syndrome for a ride on the famous Popemobile.

As the Associated Press reports:

Pope Francis has given a 17-year-old boy with Down Syndrome the ride of his life — sort of.

Francis invited Alberto di Tullio up onto his open-top Mercedes at the end of his general audience Wednesday, letting him spin around on the pontiff’s white chair while tens of thousands of people looked on.

The boy’s father, Celestino di Tullio, told The Associated Press he choked up when Francis approached his son: “The pope saw him, embraced him. Then Alberto pointed to the car, and so he brought him up!”

Perhaps Francis’ eye was caught by the blue-and-white-striped Argentine national soccer jersey Alberto was wearing — a gift that the di Tullio’s parish priest gave him Wednesday morning before they set out from Boiano, near Naples, for the audience.

In March, Pope Francis took time to stop and offer a blessing for a disabled man.

4 posted on 06/20/2013 6:24:43 AM PDT by NYer ( "Run from places of sin as from the plague."--St John Climacus)
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To: Da Coyote

But to MSNBC et al, he is just wasting his time with that name they will bring Holy Hell unto a Republican for saying, but have no qualms about when it’s a chance to denigrate Sarah Palin.


5 posted on 06/20/2013 6:24:47 AM PDT by Gaffer
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To: NYer

gotta love this guy. Pope Francis has been #1 in my book, so far.

and now an inappropriate film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71fROV6ho-E


6 posted on 06/20/2013 6:27:33 AM PDT by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
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To: NYer

You are so right. Each time I read of him, it makes me smile.


7 posted on 06/20/2013 6:28:20 AM PDT by SueRae (It isn't over. In God We Trust.)
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To: SueRae
You are so right. Each time I read of him, it makes me smile.

Same here... Pope Francis has a "regular guy" quality rarely seen in someone of that stature. I had to laugh when I read the story of when he made the phone call himself to cancel his newspaper subscription after being elected.... "Really, I AM the Pope... seriously!"

8 posted on 06/20/2013 6:55:28 AM PDT by ScottinVA ( Liberal is to patriotism as Kermit Gosnell is to neonatal care.)
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To: NYer

You know, some people gripe about him... I’m not Catholic (although respect those of this faith) but I just like this guy. I had such affection for Pope John Paul II as an 80’s kid, but I can truly see myself loving Pope Frances just as much.


9 posted on 06/20/2013 6:59:35 AM PDT by autumnraine (America how long will you be so deaf and dumb to thoe tumbril wheels carrying you to the guillotine?)
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To: SueRae

You are so right. Each time I read of him, it makes me smile.


This Pope is the real deal and I am not any where near a Catholic. We could all use some of the humility this man shows.


10 posted on 06/20/2013 7:17:33 AM PDT by bytesmith
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To: bytesmith

I’m not Catholic either and it IS his humility that impresses me. And yes, we all could take a lesson from this man’s actions. He is walking the walk. He inspires me.


11 posted on 06/20/2013 7:34:10 AM PDT by SueRae (It isn't over. In God We Trust.)
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To: NYer

He has such obviously heartfelt love and kindness for those who are of the least value according to worldly standards.


12 posted on 06/20/2013 7:38:38 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Does Bill have a job yet?)
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To: NYer

That so cuteee


13 posted on 06/20/2013 11:27:12 AM PDT by SevenofNine (We are Freepers, all your media bases belong to us ,resistance is futile)
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