In April 2018, Pope Francis paid a visit to the St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Rome. During the question-and-answer portion with the neighborhood's children, things took an emotional and unexpected turn as a little boy named Emanuele walked up to the mic.
Just as Emanuele was about to ask his question, he clammed up and stood there frozen. "I can't do it," he cried.
The pope was kind and direct. "Come to me, Emanuele. Come and whisper it in my ear."
With some encouragement from the papal aide, Emanuele gathered the strength he needed to approach the pope on the platform and ask his question. The pair whispered an exchange to each other for a few brief yet powerful moments.
Emanuele then made his way back to his seat, in tears, as the pope addressed the children of the parish. "If only we could all cry like Emanuele when we have an ache in our hearts like he has," he said.
Pope Francis said he asked Emanuele if he could share the boy's question with the rest of the parish. Emanuele said yes.
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In the video below, hear what the little boy asked Pope Francis — and his tear-jerking response.
[h/t: Arlington Catholic Herald]
