Pope Francis meets homeless on private visit to Sistine Chapel

Pope Francis meets homeless on private visit to Sistine Chapel April 2, 2015

I’m not sure if you saw this but I thought it was really cool. The Pope recently met with the some of the homeless population in his diocese during a private tour of the Sistine Chapel, set up for them. If only we had more bishops take this approach in the world. It’s gotten me to start thinking, what would it look like in my community if we started to think creatively like this about ways to love and serve those in need. Today is Maundy Thursday which literally means the Washing Thursday. We remember the example that Christ sets for his apostles in humbling himself as a servant to serve them. I think this is a great example of  creative service, and one I hope to follow.

Here’s the story:

chapel peterPope Francis made a surprise personal visit to 150 homeless people on a special tour of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, in the latest nod to his vision of creating a church for the poor.

Francis greeted the visitors in the chapel where he was elected pope during a private viewing of its ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo more than 500 years ago.

“This is everyone’s house, it is your house,” Francis said, according to a statement from the Vatican spokesman about the event at which no reporters, photographers or cameraman were allowed.

Francis was known as “the slum bishop” in his native Buenos Aires for his frequent visits to shanty towns. Since taking over as the head of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, he has made concern for the poor a central plank of his papacy.

The visitors are due to tour and have dinner in the Vatican museums, which attract about six million people a year paying at least 16 euros ($17) each. They will leave through an entrance usually reserved for prelates and employees.

The Vatican said it was giving the 150 homeless, who usually frequent the area around St. Peter’s Basilica, a chance to admire the inside of buildings of which they usually only see the front steps.

The visit was organized by the pope’s almoner Bishop Konrad Krajewski, who earlier this year started organizing showers and shaves in St. Peter’s Square for people who live rough.

Krajewski is also credited with distributing 300 umbrellas forgotten by tourists to the area’s homeless during a rainy spell in February.

The chapel was closed to the public early on Thursday to allow the visit.

via Pope Francis meets homeless on private visit to Sistine Chapel | Reuters.


Browse Our Archives