Recently, Rome’s St. Paul of the Cross Parish was visited by Pope Francis. Things took an emotional and unexpected turn during the neighborhood kids’ question and answer session when a young boy named Emanuele approached the microphone.
He clammed up and stood still as he was about to speak. “I can’t do it,” he cried.
“Come to me, Emanuele. Come and whisper it in my ear,” the Pope said kindly. The pair whispered together quietly for a few moments.
Emanuele returned to his seat, still weeping silently as the Pope addressed the crowd. “If only we could all cry like Emanuele when we have an ache in our hearts like he has,” he said. The Pope then asked Emanuele if he could share the question that was whispered on stage. Emanuel said yes.
“Is my dad in heaven?” the young boy had asked.
Watch the video below to see the Pope’s tear-jerking response.