The caress of the Holy Father

On Tuesday afternoon, 13 July, Pope Francis wanted to show his closeness by visiting young patients at the paediatric oncology ward of Gemelli Polyclinic: a tender caress on the face of a child who, in spite of everything, had the strength to smile; others on those of little girls who looked puzzled at the man dressed in white who had come to greet them; and a simple gesture of blessing with the hand towards a closed glass door, beyond which was a mother with her child in her arms.