A crowd gathered outside the Bethlehem Center in Bratislava, waiting for Pope Francis to arrive. As soon as he was in sight, the children's choir broke out into song in the courtyard.
The Pope was greeted by the Missionaries of Charity who run this center for the homeless.
Then he improvised a brief but heartfelt greeting to those gathered in the courtyard, thanking the sisters of Mother Teresa's Congregation for selflessly caring for the poor.
POPE FRANCIS
'I thank the sisters for their work, a work of welcoming, of help and of accompaniment. Thank you very much.'
He also thanked parents and children for their presence, and offered them a hope-filled reminder.
POPE FRANCIS
'The Lord is always near us, whether we can see Him or not. He is always with us on the journey of life. Let us not forget this, especially in difficult moments.'
Then the Pope went into the Center for a private 15-minute visit.
When he reemerged, he exchanged a few words with some of the sisters waiting outside as the choir continued singing.
Then he invited all those present in the courtyard to join him in praying a Hail Mary.
After the Hail Mary, the Pope gave the Missionaries of Charity a porcelain icon of the Madonna with Child. The modern Italian work shows the Child Jesus holding a bunch of grapes, a symbol of joy, friendship and the Eucharistic blood of Christ's passion.
In a very moving gesture, the Pope then made his way around the courtyard one more time, greeting parents and blessing children.
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