Pope Francis Sends Italian Mugging Victim 200 Euros And A Blessing

Pope Answers Prayers Of Elderly Mugging Victim
Pope Francis waves to faithful as he arrives to attend the Marian prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)
Pope Francis waves to faithful as he arrives to attend the Marian prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)

A Venetian woman in her 80s was robbed of about 50 euros as well as her purse, as she traveled to visit her sick husband in the hospital, but the story doesn't end there.

A mysterious letter arrived at a parish near her home last week, with 200 euros as well as a personal note from Pope Francis' new alms master Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, which said, "Please deliver in the manner it deems appropriate, the relevant amount to the lady in question, that it is a gift of His Holiness, who offers her his apostolic blessing accompanied by desired aid and divine comfort for her and for her husband."

She had written about the mugging to the friendly Pope, who has become famous for his off-the-cuff remarks and personal phone calls to those who need him. His monetary gift was a total surprise though.

Clergyman Don Gianni Antoniazzi told the Daily Mail that his hands shook as he opened the envelope marked with the Vatican seal, saying, "It is an extraordinary series of events: Francis knows not only how to interact with people, communicating brilliantly and infusing them with great hope, but also responds to personal requests."

Looks like he'll be keeping his new alms master busy, as just a week ago the pope gave money to the survivors of the Lampedusa shipwreck as well as phone cards for them to call their families.

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