Madrid, Spain, Aug 19, 2013 / 11:28 am
After a decade of struggling with cancer and other illnesses, a 58-year-old woman from Madrid has found comfort and renewed strength from a recent encounter with Pope Francis.
"Now I am living with joy, happiness and above all, gratitude," said Elena Alba, according to the newspaper La Razon.
For the past 10 years, Alba has been battling several illnesses, including two bouts with cancer, most recently in her brain. Surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation have been unsuccessful in treating her.
Faced with a dim prognosis from her doctors, Alba decided that one of the things she wanted to do while still alive was to see the Pope. Despite the risks that such a journey might pose to her health, she traveled to the Vatican with the help of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.