Images of Pope Francis’ emotional meeting with the elderly in Belgium

This Friday, Pope Francis visited the elderly in a residence run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in Brussels, capital of Belgium.

After meeting the royal family at Castle Laeken y lead a speech to the country’s authorities, the Holy Father traveled by car to the Home Saint-Joseph.

There, the Little Sisters of the Poor care for the elderly with financial difficulties, providing them with both medical and spiritual care.

This residence opened its doors in the 19th century thanks to this Congregation, founded by Saint Juana Jugan.

The purpose of this home is to care for the elderly with few resources so that they can live their final years with dignity.

During the meeting, Pope Francis greeted the elderly without losing his smile and exchanged a few words with them.

The nuns, who maintain that “smile and joy” are their main “work tools,” received the Holy Father at the entrance of the home.

Upon arrival, the employees and elders of the residence began to sing songs accompanied by applause and the sound of guitars.

“I bless you and pray for you. “Pray for me!”, the Holy Father told them before lovingly greeting “Madame Zelle”, a 102-year-old woman.

As reported Vatican Newsthe meeting ended with the Lord’s Prayer and a new prayer request from Pope Francis: “Pray for me. But for, not against.”