SW News:

The Holy Father on August 4 briefly met a Portuguese centenarian who was born on the same day when Our Lady appeared in Fatima to the three shepherd children. At the Apostolic Nunciature, Pope Francis met 106-year-old Maria da Conceicao Brito Mendonca who was born on May 13, 1917. This was announced by the Holy See Press Office. 

Pope Francis also met a young terminally ill woman named Edna Pina Lopes Rodrigues to whom he had sent a message of affection and prayer in June. A member of the São Maximiliano Kolbe parish in Lisbon, the young woman wrote to the pope expressing sadness over not being able to take part in WYD. In the letter, she said she loved the pope a lot and it was her dream to meet him. 

"For health reasons, I won't be able to accompany him on the World Youth Days physically. When I found out that the Days were going to be held in Portugal I was very happy, because whenever I see the Pope speaking on television I feel good, as if I didn't have any illness that prevented me from participating in WYD", to be held in Lisbon at the beginning of August,” she said in her letter. The doctors had told her that she did not have that many days left. 

In the letter she requested the prayers of the Holy Father from whom she said goodbye with affection. In return, the Holy Father recorded a short video in which he thanked Edna for her tenderness. "Thank you for your tenderness. Thank you for the peace you have in your heart. That peace is like a seed that is sown in the hearts of all those who see you and all those who speak to you", said the Pope in the video. 

"I accompany you and I know you will be well received. I accompany you praying for you, praying with you and looking at Jesus, who is always waiting for us", said Pope Francis who also gave his benediction to Edna.