VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis left the Vatican on Wednesday (July 31) afternoon for a short trip to the Roman seaside neighborhood of Ostia, where he met a French Catholic nun known for decades of work with the LGBTQ community.

The visit came a few months after the Vatican apologised for the pope's reported use of a vulgar Italian slur about gay people in a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops.

In a brief statement, the Vatican said the pope had met with Sr. Genevieve Jeanningros near a popular roller coaster and circus venue called Luna Park.

Jeanningros, a member of the Little Sisters of Jesus congregation, is known for living in a caravan near the park, where she also ministers to the local circus community.

The Vatican did not provide further information about the meeting, but did share images showing Francis blessing a religious statue near some of the roller coasters.

Related

---