Pope Francis greeted Chinese people a happy Lunar New Year during a Wednesday interview. (Photo : Reuters)
Pope Francis is known to make unscheduled visits to nearby places whenever he can - one thing that his securities have a hard time figuring out - and this time, he surprisingly visited Shantytown. His security aides admit having a hard time securing the Pope because of his unpredictable schedules.
According to Catholic News, the Pope recently veered through a small gated place full of shacks humbly erected inside the area. No one actually noticed him coming, but when his security aide calls for them, one immediately recognized him and shouted "Papa Francisco!" in their native Spanish language.
The people started to kiss his ring, as a sign of respect, and even took pictures of the Pope from their cell phones. Amidst the chaos, the Pope asked them to join him in praying and asked if any speaks Spanish and to everyone's delight said "All of us!"
After reciting the Lord's Prayer, the Pope bid them goodbye saying, he needs to be in the parish. The Pope spent his time meeting the children and giving confessions, wherein, he also gave away sleeping bags for the poor. Prior to his visit to the shanties, he delivered the Angelus in front of thousands who came to visit the St. Peter Square.
In a video posted by Time, TV2000, an Italian television station, captured the moment when Pope visited the area. Women ran towards him with a big smile on their faces. It is said that when he made this visit, none of the people living there expected to see him. Men and women came and receive his blessings before he leaves for the parish.
The Pope was warmly welcomed by the residents in the place called Campo Arcobaleno, where it is approximately 300 meters away from San Michele Arcangelo Parish. His visit was just one of the many detours he makes whenever he's out for a church activity. Nevertheless, people welcome this Pope because of his down to earth nature.
