The touching moment Pope Francis halted his weekly audience to kiss and hold disfigured man with 'Elephant Man' disease

Last Wednesday, the leader of the world’s 1.3billion Catholics was greeting pilgrims following his weekly public audience when the man covered in neuronal tumors approached him, asking for a blessing.
The man suffers from a rare and painful disease called neurofibromatosis, which causes boils, impaired vision and in some cases cancer.



Patients suffering from the ailment, which is genetic and not contagious - are often shunned by society because of their appearance. People were amazed when Pope Francis instead, kissed the man on the face and blessed him with the sign of the cross.

Images of Pope Francis comforting the ailing worshiper were taken at the end of the general audience Wednesday, when a man covered in neuronal tumors approached the leader of the Catholic Church asking for a blessing.

Famous namesake: The pope has drawn comparisons to St Francis of Assisi - a revered 13th century holy figure, who according to legend kissed a leper. The man reportedly suffers from the rare and painful disease, which causes growths, impaired vision and in some cases cancer, according to the Catholic News Agency


Pope Francis has been widely praised for his common touch and accessibility.
Since being elected to the Holy See earlier this year, the pontiff has made headlines around the world by washing the feet of juvenile delinquents, personally calling distraught worshipers on the phone and inviting homeless people to dine at St Peter's Square.

Earlier in today’s audience, the pope asked the people assembled in the square to pray for a sick little girl he had just met. Last week, the pontiff allowed a little boy to remain on stage with him and cling to his leg during a speech in front of a crowd of 150,000.

Earlier this year, Francis tweeted to his 3.2million followers: ’The Pope must serve all people, especially the poor, the weak, the vulnerable.’ On Tuesday, the pontiff fired off this message: ‘We need courage if we are to be faithful to the Gospel.'

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MORALS: let us all follow suite and learn to show compassion for the sick and the poor. Suffer not the little children to come unto me, for thiers is the kingdom of God... Bless