This group of volunteers traveled to Rome from Italy's southern tip to visit Pope Francis, and to give him a special gift.
MARIA CHIARA LOTI
President, Fratres San Cassiano
'We came to the Pope's audience because we wanted to give him a certificate making him an honorary member of our group of Fratres of San Cassiano Blood Donor Volunteers, and we also gave him some typical products from our region, and we were honored to speak with him and shake his hand.'
They are members of Fratres, a Christian charity which organizes blood drives and recruits blood and organ donors throughout Italy. After the General Audience, it seemed even Pope Francis was willing to donate his blood for the cause.
MARIA CHIARA LOTI
President, Fratres San Cassiano
'He joked with us as he usually does, and said 'did you bring the needles to take my blood?' and I just said 'yes, your Holiness.''
During his General Audience, the Pope explain the responsibility of Christians to freely serve others.
MARIA CHIARA LOTI
President, Fratres San Cassiano
'We all must donate [blood], because donating means giving your life, it means committing an act of love without receiving anything in return, which, I think is what the Holy Father was saying in his message today.'
Much needed blood donations have dropped drastically during the pandemic. Now Fratres is seeking to encourage more people to roll up their sleeves to save others with the Pope's support.
JM
