Rome, Italy, Oct 14, 2016 / 09:08 am
On Friday Pope Francis visited with young children at the "SOS Village" in Rome, a community made up of homes for children who are in positions of family or social hardship, as recommended by social services.
The Village, as it is called, is made up of five houses, each holding up to six boys and six girls, 12 years of age and under. They live in the house with an "SOS Mother." The Village aims to support the children and nurture their growth in the same way a family would.
The Oct. 14 visit is the latest in the Pope's "Mercy Friday" initiatives to spend time with various groups each month during the Jubilee of Mercy.
In previous trips, he has made surprise stops at places including an elderly home, a drug and alcohol rehab center, and a facility for retired priests.