ETV Bharat / international

Pope honours 85-yr-old nun who delivered 3,000 babies

Pope Francis on Wednesday honoured an 85-year-old nun who has delivered around 3,000 babies. Sister Maria Concetta Esu delivered the babies as part of her missionary work as an obstetrician for over 60 years in the Central African Republic.

Pope honours 85-yr-old nun who delivered 3,000 babies

Pope with Sister Maria Concetta Esu

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Published : Mar 27, 2019, 11:16 PM IST

Vatican: Pope Francis gave a special medal on Wednesday to an 85-year-old nun who has delivered around 3,000 babies as part of her missionary work as an obstetrician for over 60 years in the Central African Republic.

Pope with Sister Maria Concetta Esu

With Sister Maria Concetta Esu standing at his side, Pope Francis told of how he met her in Bangui in 2015, where she arrived in a canoe.

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"It is a sign of our affection and our thanks for all the work that you have done with our African sisters and brothers in the service of life, of children of women and of families," the Pope said.

On Wednesday the Vatican also announced that the Pope would visit the African countries of Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius from September 4 to 10.

Vatican: Pope Francis gave a special medal on Wednesday to an 85-year-old nun who has delivered around 3,000 babies as part of her missionary work as an obstetrician for over 60 years in the Central African Republic.

Pope with Sister Maria Concetta Esu

With Sister Maria Concetta Esu standing at his side, Pope Francis told of how he met her in Bangui in 2015, where she arrived in a canoe.

Also Read:Cherry blossom flowers reach full bloom in Tokyo

"It is a sign of our affection and our thanks for all the work that you have done with our African sisters and brothers in the service of life, of children of women and of families," the Pope said.

On Wednesday the Vatican also announced that the Pope would visit the African countries of Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius from September 4 to 10.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY
SHOTLIST:
VATICAN MEDIA - AP CLIENTS ONLY
Vatican - 27 March 2019
1. Back of Pope Francis as he goes through St. Peter's Square on his Popemobile
ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY
Vatican - 27 March 2019
2. Top shot of crowd in square with Pope in Popemobile
3. Pope going through square
4. Pope kissing baby and child
VATICAN MEDIA - AP CLIENTS ONLY
Vatican - 27 March 2019
5. Pope greeting people in square from Popemobile
ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY
Vatican - 27 March 2019
6. Pope walking up to altar area
VATICAN MEDIA - AP CLIENTS ONLY
Vatican - 27 March 2019
7. Top shot of crowd and altar area in St. Peter's Square
ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY
Vatican - 27 March 2019
8. Pope with Sister Maria Concetta Esu and other nuns standing near him
VATICAN MEDIA - AP CLIENTS ONLY
Vatican - 27 March 2019
9. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Pope Francis:
++SOUNDBITE INCLUDES CUTAWAY OF SISTER MARIA CONCETTA ESU++
"Today we have the joy to have with us a person who I would like to introduce you to. It is Sister Maria Concetta Esu from the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Genoni. And why am I doing this? Sister Maria Concetta is 85-years-old and for about 60 of them has been a missionary in Africa where she does her work as an obstetrician."
10. Pope kissing Sister
11. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Pope Francis:
++SOUNDBITE INCLUDES VARIOUS ANGLES++
"I got to know her in Bangui, when I went there to open the Jubilee of Mercy. She told me how in her lifetime she has helped to deliver around 3,000 babies. How marvellous.
12. Crowd applauding
13. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Pope Francis:
"On that day she came to the Congo in canoe, 85-years-old, to do some shopping in Bangui."
14. Crowd
15. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Pope Francis:
"So, I decided to take advantage of this occasion to give a sign of recognition and to give her a big thank you for her experience. Dear Sister, in my name and the name of the Church, I offer you this honour. It is a sign of our affection and our thanks for all the work that you have done with our African sisters and brothers in the service of life, of children of women and of families."
12. Wide of crowd at audience
VATICAN MEDIA - AP CLIENTS ONLY
Vatican - 27 March 2019
13. Top shot of altar area
STORYLINE:
Pope Francis gave a special medal Wednesday to an 85-year-old nun who has delivered around 3,000 babies as part of her missionary work as an as an obstetrician for over 60 years in the Central African Republic.
With Sister Maria Concetta Esu standing at his side, Pope Francis told of how he met her in Bangui in 2015, where she arrived in a canoe.
"It is a sign of our affection and our thanks for all the work that you have done with our African sisters and brothers in the service of life, of children of women and of families," the Pope said.
On Wednesday the Vatican also announced that the Pope would visit the African countries of Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius from September 4-10.
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