There is still disbelief among the many children who attend the summer center wanted by Pope Francis in the Vatican every morning to help and support parents, employees of the Holy See. On 20 July, shortly after 9, Pope Francis visited the children and young people, while having breakfast in the atrium of the Paul VI Hall. This was reported by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni: "After going through the tables, the Pope visited the spaces for games in the classroom and talked with participants." The Pope then returned to the Santa Marta house at 10 am, having first thanked staff "individually" for their work.
Together to make friends
During the visit Francis sat among the children and "encouraged them to make new friends." "People who only know how to have fun by themselves are selfish," said the Pope, "you have to be together, with friends, to have a good time." The Summer Center, born as an initiative of the Governorate to help parents who work in the Vatican, organized educational and recreational activities for the month of July in the Gardens, the Heliport and the Paul VI Hall. About 100 children and young people are involved, in compliance with anti-Covid protocols. The Center is animated by the Salesians together with the association "Tutto in una festa": the days are marked by swimming in the pool, tennis, soccer and basketball matches, inflatable slides, ping-pong challenges as well as guided visits to the Vatican Gardens.
Kids amazed by Pope's simplicity
"A big surprise for us! I wasn't here but I was notified of the Pope's arrival and so I went back. He had come out of Casa Santa Marta alone and went to the Paul VI Hall to greet the kids who were finishing breakfast. He strolled between tables, first chatting with the little ones, then the kids of elementary and middle school. He was interested in what they do, how they spend the day, asked them if they were happy," said the coordinator of "Estate Ragazzi", Fr Franco Fontana, SDB, chaplain of the Gendarmerie and the Vatican Museums, about the morning together with Francis. "The children were so amazed that they remained completely silent. Then, after the tour, we went down to Paul VI Hall, we did what we do every morning, we didn't upset the schedules. The Pope himself wanted it to be so. In three," he explains, "they asked him questions we had asked last week, because it was our intention to write to him. He answered very simple questions. Finally, he gave us a general greeting and then warmly thanked the 22 animators. We also took a picture together. He then returned to Santa Marta on foot." What impressed Fr Franco was the attitude of the children who caught in Francis "the familiarity, simplicity and fatherhood with which he wanted to live this moment."
Source: Benedetta Capelli, Vatican News
