The Pope's affectionate gesture that moved thousands of people

A 58-year-old man from Isola Vicentina died on Wednesday, Vinicio Riva, at the Vicenza hospital. He had long suffered from neurofibromatosis, a disease that had disfigured his face. He became famous in November 2013, when during a general audience in the Vatican, Pope Francis hugged and caressed him for a long time. The image of that affectionate gesture had moved thousands of people on social media.

The president of Veneto, Luca Zaia, expressed his condolences by recalling that scene and praised Vinicio for having been a example of dignity and value in illness, despite the difficulties he faced due to his condition. Vinicius was suffering from one rare pathology which made his life extremely difficult, but he demonstrated great strength and inspired others with his positive attitude.

The Pope caresses Vinicio Riva's head and the gesture moves the world

During the meeting with the Pope, Vinicius had been caressed on the head and neck, parts of his face disfigured by growths caused by his illness. This episode brought attention to neurofibromatosis, a little-known but genetic disease also widespread in Italy. People with this disease often do hide due to the fear of facing other people and being looked at and pointed out as different.

Vinicius lived most of his life with his aunt Catherine and worked in a retirement home for the elderly in Vicenza. After his death, many comments circulate on social media, many remember that touching moment with Papa Francesco which allowed him to cancel years of shame and isolation. We want to conclude the article by thanking this man and remembering him with a very beautiful phrase published on YouTube: “Goodbye. If your face had looked like your heart, you would have been a movie star."