A group of poor, sick and disabled from the Archdiocese of Lyon, France were deeply moved by their private encounter with Pope Francis. They were led by Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, and are members of the ATD (All Together in Dignity) Fourth World, founded by Fr. Joseph Wresinski. It was created to help people in all social classes and to eventually eliminate poverty throughout the world.
Pope Francis welcomed them, thanked them and encouraged them in their struggles, saying that they 'give a beautiful testimony of evangelical fraternity.â?
MICHEL CESSES
ATD Fourth World
'We met the Pope for the country of France, where there is a movement from the priest, Joseph Wresinski, who made a movement with the poor people and made a contact, a meeting point between poor people, familiar people and rich people in the Church. So it's a consolation between these kind of people who create this movement and the Pope wants to congratulate us for this movement.â?
Michel continued, saying that many of the 200 visitors cried, since it is the first and perhaps the only time they will have the opportunity to meet the Pope.
It was a noteworthy encounter, especially because the Pope shook hands with each and every person present at the meeting.
PHILIPPE BRí?S
ATD Fourth World
'It was very emotive. We are a group with a lot of people who are very poor and it was very beautiful because the Pope gave us a mission. A mission to pray for all the world and it was the best mission I think.â?
Inspired by this mission, the members of the ATD Fourth World will head back to France with colorful scarves around their neck as a reminder of the special encounter they experienced with Pope Francis.
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