Cuban artist Raúl Hernández was one of the pilgrims who traveled to Rome's Gemelli Hospital to see the Pope.
And he even brought Pope Francis a gift.
RAÚL HERNÁNDEZ
Artist
“On behalf of Cuba, Italy and the whole world, I would like to give the gift of hope that the Pope will get his previous strength back, and that he will go back to holding audiences like the one I painted.”
Raúl went to the hospital with his wife, and his painting caught lots of people's attention. He says it's his first religious work of art, with which he wants to communicate a very concrete message.
RAÚL HERNÁNDEZ
Artist
“I have many many other paintings from my career, but this is one of my first religious paintings. For the religious theme, I started with one of our Popes, a Latin American Pope. To strengthen the faith, encourage all pilgrims, especially in this difficult time of Covid,we're going through.”
Raúl was in the front row at the Angelus to hear Pope Francis' words.
POPE FRANCIS
'I have felt your closeness and the support of your prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.'
Despite the heat, hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital to show the Pope their support. A gesture that Pope Francis evidently appreciated very much.
JMB
TR: CT
