Pope Francis made an unexpected visit on November 5 to Emma Bonino, the 76-year-old Italian politician known for her role in legalizing abortion in the 1970s.
The Pope stopped by her apartment in central Rome following a speech at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Bonino, recently released from the hospital after experiencing heart and respiratory issues, welcomed the Pontiff, who brought her roses and chocolates.
A photo shared by Bonino on social media showed the two sitting in wheelchairs on her terrace. The politician was a key figure in pushing for the legalization of abortion, which the Pope has called like “hiring a hit man.”
Despite this, the Pope and Bonino have maintained a cordial relationship over the years. Pope Francis has previously praised Bonino for her work with migrants and referred to her as an “example of freedom and resistance” during this visit.
Bonino expressed her surprise and gratitude on social media, noting the Pope’s “extraordinary humanity” and his affectionate greeting.
Pope Francis and Bonino have met on several occasions, including in 2016 when Francis described her as one of Italy’s “great personalities” for her dedication to humanitarian work, reported I.Media.
Photo credit: Paolo Piscolla, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
