Thousands of people made it to the Pope's weekly general audience, but two groups stood out the most. A French couple and their six children, who made it to Rome on a donkey and another group that traveled to the Eternal City on a canoe.
POPE FRANCIS
'Here in this audience, we have two very brave groups. One of them came here on a canoe from Loreto. Also a French family made it here on donkeys. Congratulations to these two brave groups.â?
Afterward the Pope actually got to meet the groups. First up- was the French family and their basic form of transportation. After greetings the kids, the Pope chatted with the family.
'We met you in Argentina, in Buenos Aires.
-Really?
-Yes, about 15 years ago, when you were a Cardinal.â?
-Yes, but back then we didn't have your phone number.â?
The donkeys seemed to be both the means of transportation and pets for the kids. The animals were wearing their full gear for the big day.
But things didn't stop there. The couple had another surprise. Their mothers also traveled to Rome to surprise them. The Pope made light of the situation.
-Both grandmothers?
-Yes, our mothers.
-You're brave. Not just for coming with the entire clan, but for coming with mothers in law.
The Pope also greeted the group that traveled to Rome in a canoe all the way from Loreto. As a gift, they gave the Pope an image of Our Lady of Loreto, along with a basket full of cards they received as they made their way to Rome.
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