Rhode Island Couple Speechless After Pope Hugs Disabled Son

Paul and Christina Gondreau of Johnston and their 5 children attended Easter Mass at the Vatican.  An usher directed the boy, Dominic, who has cerebral palsy and his mother to an area designated for handicapped children.  When the pope's vehicle, the same usher motioned to the driver to stop, and with the help of Christina, held the boy up to Pope Francis, who took the boy in his arms and kissed him.  The boy appeared to try to bring his right arm around to embrace the pontiff.   Videos of the pope embracing the boy have been seen all over the world, and the parents said there were speechless and moved to tears by the action of Pope Francis.   Paul Gondreu is a professor at Providence college who is teaching this semester in Rome.   A story on the Providence College website says Professor Gondreau called the moment "an incredibly moving encounter."  He says his son teaches him daily lessons about how to love.

Providence College