Rome, Italy, Mar 2, 2018 / 10:31 am
On Friday, Pope Francis continued his surprise "Mercy Friday" initiative with a visit to a home that keeps children with their mothers, who might otherwise be separated because of imprisonment.
Called "Leda's House," the home allows women who might have otherwise been imprisoned or put under house arrest for minor crimes to be rehabilitated while continuing to care for their children with supervision.
Located in the EUR neighborhood of Rome, the house opened just one year ago and is the first of its kind in Italy. It currently houses five young mothers, between 25 and 30 years old, and their children. Most come from Rome, though one is from elsewhere in Italy and another is from Egypt.
According to a Vatican press release March 2, the women, children, and staff of the home all greeted Pope Francis with amazement. He spent some time speaking with the women and children before giving the kids giant chocolate Easter eggs.