Reflections on life, meaning and purpose

Man With Disfigured Face Whose Embrace With Pope Francis Touched the World Dies

National Catholic Register
Pope Francis embraces Vinicio Riva after the general audience on Nov. 6, 2013.

A picture of the tender encounter between Vinicio Riva — who suffered from neurofibromatosis type 1, a genetic disorder that can result in skin lesions — and the Pope in 2013 represented one of the most emotional and impactful moments of Francis’ pontificate.