Pope holds “virtual audience” ahead of US trip
Pope Francis told the people of the United States he wanted to "draw close to their path and history" during his upcoming visit to the United States.
Speaking from the Vatican, via satellite during a “virtual audience” and alternating between English and Spanish, Pope Francis addressed those taking part at various locations across the US. These included students at the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago’s inner city, congregants from Sacred Heart Church in McAllen, Texas, located near the U.S.-Mexico border, and homeless men and women and those working with the homeless in Los Angeles.
The encounter was filmed and moderated by ABC News on August 31 and aired on Sept. 4 evening on the television programme 20/20.
During the interactive event, those taking part were able to share their stories and ask the Holy Father questions. In one instance, the Pope asked a teenage girl, who had been a victim of bullying, to sing for him.
Pope Francis congratulated a single mother on her decision to give birth to two daughters, telling her “Don’t be ashamed.”
A clip of Pope Francis’ conversation with single-mother Rosemary Farfan was released on Sept 1.
Pope holds “virtual audience” ahead of US trip
