Pope Francis during the visit to the body of Miriam Wuolou, a receptionist at Santa Marta residence who was found dead in her home on the outskirts of Rome
A grieving Pope Francis has brought twelve white roses as a touching tribute to his receptionist, who was found dead at her small apartment on the outskirts of Rome, Italy.
Miriam Wuolou, a 34-year-old of Eritrean origin, was seven-months pregnant when her body was discovered and has been absent from work for several weeks due to a serious form of diabetes.
She had worked as front-of-house at Pope Francis' home, a priests' guesthouse Santa Marta for years, acting as a kind of gatekeeper for the pope as well as for the bishops and cardinals who stay there.
Pope Francis during the visit to the body of Miriam Wuolou, a receptionist at Santa Marta residence who was found dead in her home on the outskirts of Rome
Pope Francis during the visit to the body of Miriam Wuolou, a receptionist at Santa Marta residence who was found dead in her home on the outskirts of Rome
She had worked as front-of-house at Pope Francis' home, a priests' guesthouse Santa Marta for years, acting as a kind of gatekeeper for the pope as well as for the bishops and cardinals who stay there
She had worked as front-of-house at Pope Francis' home, a priests' guesthouse Santa Marta for years, acting as a kind of gatekeeper for the pope as well as for the bishops and cardinals who stay there
After laying the flowers, the Pope sprinkled the coffin with holy water and remained in prayer for twenty minutes
After laying the flowers, the Pope sprinkled the coffin with holy water and remained in prayer for twenty minutes
Miriam is thought to have died alone, of suspected problems related to her diabetes, which had already led doctor to warn that her pregnancy at risk
Miriam is thought to have died alone, of suspected problems related to her diabetes, which had already led doctor to warn that her pregnancy at risk
The Argentinian pontiff visited the body of Wuolou ahead of the funeral service, in the church of Santo Stefano degli Abissini.
After laying the flowers, the Pope sprinkled the coffin with holy water and remained in prayer for twenty minutes.
The pope opted to live at the Santa Marta guesthouse after his appointment in 2013, rejecting the grand papal apartments because he found them too sumptuous and he feared isolation.
