EWTN Vatican
Pope Francis makes surprise visit to amusement park
Demo 2 Image
Pope Francis traveled to Ostia, a seaside town not far from Rome, on July 31, 2024, to greet Sister Geneviève Jeanningros and the employees of the Summer Park Festival at Luna Park. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis left the Vatican on Wednesday afternoon for Ostia, a seaside town not far from Rome, to greet Sister Geneviève Jeanningros and the employees of the Summer Park Festival at Luna Park.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the pontiff visited Jeanningros, an 81-year-old nun who has been serving homosexuals and “transgender” people at the Italian Luna Park for 56 years.

The nun lives there in a trailer with another nun named Anna Amelia, with whom she also accompanies the community.

The Holy Father took the opportunity to greet the fairground workers and circus artists, who put on a show.

Pope Francis visits with Sister Geneviève Jeanningros and the community of carousel workers and circus performers at the Luna Park on July 31, 2024. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Francis visits with Sister Geneviève Jeanningros and the community of carousel workers and circus performers at the Luna Park on July 31, 2024. Credit: Vatican Media

He also blessed a statue of “Our Lady, Protector of the Traveling Show and the Circus” and greeted the families and children present.

Pope Francis blesses a statue of the Madonna at Luna Park on July 31, 2024. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Francis blesses a statue of the Madonna at Luna Park on July 31, 2024. Credit: Vatican Media

Earlier this year, on June 5, Pope Francis greeted the nun after the general audience at the Vatican. On that occasion, Jeanningros noted that the pontiff had previously received the LGBT “community” that she assists.

“They love him so much because this is the first time that a pope welcomes trans and gay people. They thank him because they have finally found a Church that has reached out to them,” said the nun of the Little Sisters of Jesus.

 

This article was originally published on CNA.


Author Name

Almudena Martínez-Bordiú is a graduate in Journalism and Advertising from CEU San Pablo University in Madrid, with studies at LUMSA in Rome. Former Vatican correspondent for ACI Prensa and EWTN. Now Europe correspondent based in Madrid, covering major Catholic events and Church affairs.

Trending
Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV recommend this book, which warns of a world without God
The Chosen Cast Meets the Pope, Visits EWTN: “Rome Breathes the Gospel”
Jonathan Roumie meets the pope: ‘There was just a kindness on his face’
Archbishop Georg Gänswein Speaks on Pope Leo XIV, Pope Francis’ Passing, and Baltic War Realities
Pope Leo XIV seeks to reestablish ‘full visible communion’ with Eastern Orthodox
5 Holy Doors: What Every Catholic Should Know Ahead of Jubilee 2025