[nagdu] {Disarmed} Fw: [leader-dogs-l] Pope Francis Makes Exception to Bless Guide Dog

[William Vandervest]

There are none so blind as those who will not see

William and LD Lynard
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Jeff Blair 
To: Jeff Blair 
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 11:27 AM
Subject: [leader-dogs-l] Pope Francis Makes Exception to Bless Guide Dog


  
Pope 
Francis Makes Exception to Bless Guide Dog

Journalist Alessandro Forlani wasn’t sure 
he’d even be allowed in when the new pope 
met with the world media on Saturday. 

Guards had told him he most likely wouldn’t 
because of his guide dog, however Vatican 
officials let him and his guide dog Asia in and 
after the pope’s thank you speech to the 
media Pope Francis asked to meet Forlani 
and Asia. Forlani is a visually impaired radio 
journalist and showed up on Saturday at the 
Vatican’s auditorium for Pope Francis’ address
to the media. Accompanying him was his 
guide dog, a yellow Labrador Retriever named
Asia. “As I waited in line to enter the hall, the 
security guards told me that most likely 
I wouldn’t be allowed to get in with the dog,” 

Forlani wrote on his Facebook page. “But after 
a few minutes, Vatican official gave me the 
green light and I was accompanied by a Swiss 
guard to the audience hall.” Forlani and Asia 
were given a seat in the front rows.

After the pope delivered his speech a selected 
group of media went before him. As they lined 
up Vatican officials came up to Forlani. “They 
said that Pope Francis had asked to meet me.
He had seen Asia and wanted to see both us,” 
said Forlani. “He broke the ceremonial rules 
as my presence on stage with Asia wasn’t 
previously arranged.”

Asia walked by Forlani’s side and approached 
pope Francis, giving his white robe a brief sniff
and then patiently waited while Forlani spoke 
with the pope. Forlani asked the pope for a 
blessing for his wife and daughter. The pope 
wanted to make sure Asia also got a blessing,“ 

He said, ‘and a special blessing for your dog
too,’” Recalled Forlani. The pope reached down
and stroked the yellow Lab. The pope’s attention
and affection toward Asia is fitting for the name 
he took as St. Francis is the patron saint of animals. 

Jeff

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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