If you are part of a Catholic institution anywhere near Rome and hear an unexpected knock on your door, don’t hesitate to answer. It might be the Pope.
Pope Francis has made a habit of dropping in to encourage and pray with various groups over the past months. On January 11, 2019, he surprised the Poor Clares of the Vallegloria Monastery in Spello in Umbria, a couple hours drive from Rome.
During the private and informal visit, the Pope celebrated Mass together with Bishop Gualtiero Sigismondi of Foligno, spent some time speaking freely and informally to the religious and then had lunch together, reported Vatican News.
Bishop Sigismondi described the joy and the amazement of the nuns when Pope Francis suddenly turned up – unexpected – at their doorstep.
He said the Pope had expressed admiration and interest for the vocation and charism of the contemplative community in Spello, where the Poor Clares are amongst the most ancient orders to follow the legacy of Saint Clare of Assisi.
