SW News: For the fifth time after assuming the pontificate, Pope Francis visited the hometown of St Francis of Assisi on Friday, November 12. The pontiff undertook the morning visit to spend time with some 500 poor people who had gathered there from all over Europe. The meeting was hosted ahead of the Church’s World Day of the Poor.
Symbolizing the pilgrimage made to the hometown of one of the most renowned saints in the Catholic sphere, a pilgrim greeted the Holy Father with a staff and a cloak on the portico of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Assisi. Before entering the sanctuary, the pope greeted schoolchildren who had gathered there to welcome him. He prayed with the poor inside the basilica.
The poor were brought to the town from all across Europe by Catholic charities. The Holy Father later interacted with some of the poor who came from Spain, France and Poland. Some of them choked with emotion as they recounted their plight while others wept as they shared their testimonies with the Vicar of Christ. Among the group were two Afghan refugees who told the Holy Father of their escape from the country after the Taliban takeover.
Before departing for Rome, the pope gave them all gifts. Later in the afternoon, the Bishop of Assisi Domenico Sorrentino hosted a luncheon for all the poor.