Dear readers,
As Fazal Abbas, I highly recommend reading about the surprise visit Pope Francis made to Emma Bonino. This unexpected encounter between two influential figures is noteworthy for several reasons:
• Emma Bonino is a prominent Italian politician and human rights activist.
• She has served as a Member of the European Parliament and as Italy’s Foreign Minister.
• Pope Francis visited Bonino at her home in Rome on July 10, 2024.
• The visit lasted approximately one hour.
• Bonino has been battling lung cancer since 2015.
This meeting highlights the Pope’s commitment to dialogue with those who may hold differing views on certain issues. It also demonstrates his pastoral approach, reaching out to individuals facing health challenges.
For more context on Emma Bonino’s career, you can visit her Britannica profile.
This event serves as an interesting case study in bridge-building and compassion in today’s often divided socio-political landscape..
There are differences of opinion, values that sometimes diverge, and yet Pope Francis’ affection for Emma Bonino remains alive.. This morning the Pontiff, in a big surprise, went to the politician’s home to visit her and make sure of her state of health following her recent 10-day hospitalization for respiratory problems.
Pope Francis’ surprising visit
Pope Francis left the Vatican for institutional commitments, he was in fact expected at the Gregorian for the traditional inauguration of the academic year. And, finding himself in the center of Rome aboard his white 500, the pontiff decided to make a small detour and go to visit a dear friend. The Pope went to Emma Bonino’s house, at whose exit he was recognized by a passerby, with whom the leader of the Catholic Church amiably exchanged a few words.
And a quick joke the Pope also granted to reporters from Repubblica who promptly rushed over. “How are you,” he was asked. And Bergoglio replied dryly, “Very well,” adding that theirs was a “Very cordial” meeting. Apparently, the pontiff stayed as Bonino’s guest for about 20 minutes, spent in eating chocolates on the terrace. As told by the former minister herself, who posted on social media a photo of them together, both in wheelchairs, under the sun in Rome.
“This morning, with enormous surprise and full of emotion, His Holiness paid me a very welcome visit. – he wrote – Of Pope Francis the extraordinary human aspect always emerges. Already from the presents he wanted to give me, a wonderful bouquet of roses and chocolates.
I stayed very impressed by the strength and understanding shown to me already from his typical Piedmontese ‘cerea’ greeting because of our common origins. And to have been told that he was ‘an example of freedom and resistance’ filled me with joy.”
Long friendship with Emma Bonino
That between Jorge Mario Bergoglio and Emma Bonino is a long-standing friendship. When Emma Bonino discovered that she was suffering from lung cancer-cause of her recent hospitalization-the Pontiff phoned her home. “He inquired about my health and encouraged me to hold on, which I am doing with all my strength…,” she had told Radio Radicale. He renewed my commitment to hold on because then the bad grass never dies, but my mom said I’m a hardy weed, bad not. We talked about migrants, poverty and the Mediterranean. I told his holiness that our kids should be taken to visit some nice museum, which we also have, of Italian migrations, and they would see the same faces, the same eyes, the same hopes and the same determination again.”
The pontiff holds the activist and politician in high esteem and has never hidden it. In 2016, speaking to Il Corriere, he counted her “among the greats of Italy today.” In particular, for her commitment to Africa and its people in need: “She offered the best service to Italy to know Africa. They tell me: these are people who think very differently from us. True, but patience. Bis to look at people, at what they do.“.
