Pope makes surprise visit to ailing DC sister

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Francis visited an elderly nun at the Daughters of Charity's house in Rome on Sunday, a gesture of kindness for her years of service at Casa Santa Marta.

Sister Maria Mucci spent many years serving visitors at the house where Pope Francis lives. Since she became ill, she's been in the infirmary at her congregation's house in Rome, Regina Mundi House.

Pope Francis had a short visit with her and also paused for a picture with members of the Daughters of Charity community staffing the residence, along with employees and guests.

At the end of his visit, the Holy Father gave them all his blessing.

Fr Tomaž Mavrič, CM, the Order's Superior General, announced the news on his Facebook page.

During his visit Pope Francis also contemplated a relic of his predecessor, Pope St John Paul II which is kept at Regina Mundi House.

The relic is the bloodstained shirt worn by the Polish Pope when he was shot by a gunman in St Peter's Square on 13 May 1981. The bullet hole is still visible on the shirt, as well as the cuts made to remove it in the operating room.

Gemelli Hospital, where he received treatment after the assassination attempt, gave the shirt to Regina Mundi House for their Jubilee Year in 2000.

The Daughters of Charity keep the relic in their chapel.