On Sunday, April 6, Pope Francis celebrated a mass in the Roman parish church of San Gregorio Magno alla Magliana. What he did not expect was for the pastor to introduce him to a couple, last name Manelli, six of whose nine children are members of the Franciscan Friars (two of the children) and Sisters (four of the children) of the Immaculate.
Sandro Magister reports:
In a chat with the pope, the couple Pio and Annamaria [Manelli] - the latter painter of the icon [of the Salus Populi Romani, presented to the pope] - they told him:“Holy Father, we have nine children, six of whom are consecrated among the Franciscans of the Immaculate. We beg you, take them out of the sepulchre.”To which pope Francis - who, in the homily had spoken of Jesus who removes not only Lazarus but all from the sepulchres - smiled, a little surprised, caressed them and told them: “Soon, soon.”What "soon" might mean is unknown. Those who are most optimistic hope for an imminent and peaceful end of the intervention.
