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Pope Francis Invites Teen With Down Syndrome for a Ride in the Popemobile
life news ^ | Steven Ertelt

Posted on 06/19/2013 7:56:09 PM PDT by Morgana

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: catholic; popefrancis
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To: Morgana

I’m finding that the very secular 20- and 30-somethings who populate my life really like this Pope. I hope he’s around long enough for them to get to know him, his Church and Christianity, as it apparently wasn’t well taught in their local churches.


21 posted on 06/19/2013 9:19:42 PM PDT by EDINVA
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To: MediaMole

...as someone who was born with a disabilty, I have begun to understand the power of the pro-life movements message to those who could have been aborted. I see myself as a man who was lucky to survive the abortion movement.


22 posted on 06/19/2013 9:21:34 PM PDT by MediaMole
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To: MediaMole

Bump!


23 posted on 06/19/2013 9:23:35 PM PDT by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
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To: BykrBayb

Thought you’d like this one.


24 posted on 06/19/2013 9:23:49 PM PDT by little jeremiah (Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. CSLewis)
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To: Gene Eric

I want to share an amazing story about a an amazing little boy and his family who have faced a tremendous challenge.

http://www.dominicpio.com/

These are great people who have loved their son and brother despite his terrible challenges. These are people I can not even begin to emulate.


25 posted on 06/19/2013 9:34:00 PM PDT by MediaMole
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To: little jeremiah

You’re right! I love reading about people who treasure life, and respect each other. The more I read from people like Bill Maher, Whoopie Goldberg, and the occasional trolls, the more I appreciate people like Pope Francis.


26 posted on 06/19/2013 9:49:40 PM PDT by BykrBayb (Somewhere, my flower is there. ~ Þ)
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To: MacMattico

I really like the Pope but I’m concerned that while it’s great he mingles and talks with the people, something bad will happen.

I’m sure he’s not afraid of death but it would be a great loss for the rest of us. It is nice to see him so outgoing and cheerful, though.

What would happen if the pope were attacked by a Musloid who hacked his head off like the butchers of London?


27 posted on 06/20/2013 12:24:21 AM PDT by GraceG
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