Pope Francis made surprise visits Dec. 7 and 8 to people receiving medical care far from their homes, to a dozen intellectually challenged young people and to the staff of a major Rome newspaper.
Surprise! Pope makes several impromptu visits
Mercy Friday: Pope surprises students rehearsing after school
Continuing his occasional series of “Mercy Friday” visits, Pope Francis surprised the students at a school renamed in March in honor of a student who died of leukemia at the age of 11.
Pope visits group home for women prisoners with small children
Listening, playing and having an afternoon snack, Pope Francis spent time March 2 at a group home for women prisoners with small children.
Pope goes door to door, blessing the homes of the poor
Continuing the “Mercy Friday” visits he began during the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis spent an afternoon going door to door and blessing homes in a public housing complex in Ostia, Rome.
Continuing ‘Mercy Friday’ practice, pope visits center for the blind
Pope Francis returned to a practice he developed during the Year of Mercy: making a Friday-afternoon visit to people in need of or deserving special care.
Year of Mercy affirmed dignity, sacredness of human life, pope says
Visiting young women rescued from forced prostitution and meeting with a mother inconsolable over the loss of one of her newborn triplets are images from the Year of Mercy that Pope Francis said remain impressed on his heart.
Pope’s last ‘Mercy Friday’ visit is with former priests, their families
Nearing the end of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis paid a visit to seven families formed by men who left the priesthood to marry. The Vatican said the visit was a sign that God loves and is merciful to everyone experiencing difficulty.
Mercy Fridays give pope a year of stories, tears, hugs
Tears, prayers, caresses — but most of all, listening — were the hallmarks of Pope Francis’ “Mercy Friday” visits during the Year of Mercy.