Home · Faith · Sep 30 archive
Pope Francis Blesses Special Needs Girl During Paris Visit
Developing
In Short: Pope Francis blessed Marie-Garance, a 10-year-old girl with multiple disabilities, during his visit to Paris, an act her mother says recognizes vulnerable people often set aside.
Photographer Ludovic Marin captured the moment when Pope Francis leaned toward Marie-Garance, took her hand, and met her eyes during his visit to Paris.
Marie-Garance, who uses a wheelchair, was carried into the pope’s arms by a police officer as the pope passed in the popemobile along the Champs-Elysees before Mass at Place de la Concorde.
Her adoptive mother, Clotilde Noël, told OSV News that the blessing represented vulnerable people who are often set aside because they are different.
Following the special moment, Noël gave numerous interviews on television and in newspapers, speaking about the special blessing for her daughters.
Marie-Garance was carried into the pope’s arms and looked at him with trust and a sense of surrender," Noël said, adding, "Carried by others, she represented that entire segment of humanity that is so often set aside because it is different, and particularly vulnerable.
What's confirmed
- Agence France Press photographer Ludovic Marin captured the moment the pope leaned toward Marie-Garance, took her hand and met her eyes.
- Her adoptive mother, Clotilde Noël, told OSV News the blessing represented vulnerable people who are often set aside because they are different.
- Noël’s other daughter, Pépa Teresa, also got a papal blessing that day, but was not photographed.
- “I agreed to share my story because, for me, these blessings went far beyond them and our family,” Noël told OSV News.
- “Marie-Garance was carried into the pope’s arms and looked at him with trust and a sense of surrender,” she said.
- “She came to live with us at four and a half, straight from the hospital,” the mother explained.
- (OSV News) — A photograph of Pope Leo XIV blessing Marie-Garance, a 10-year-old girl in a blue dress who has multiple disabilities, went viral after the pope encountered her in Paris Sept.
- A police officer lifted the girl into his arms as the pope passed in the popemobile along the Champs-Elysees before Mass at Place de la Concorde.
- Following the special moment, Noël gave numerous interviews on television and in newspapers, speaking about the special blessing for her daughters.
- “Carried by others, she represented that entire segment of humanity that is so often set aside because it is different, and particularly vulnerable.” After that moment, there was a moment of silence around the Noël family, followed by warm applause.
What's still developing
- She uses a wheelchair, though her disability is slightly less severe.
- “It was a tribute to Marie-Garance, one she truly deserved!” Noël said.