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Parents moved to tears after Pope's careful embrace

A U.S. couple says they were speechless when Pope Francis hugged and kissed their 8-year-old son with cerebral palsy, in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday.

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Gregorio Borgia / AP
Pope Francis hugs 8-year-old Dominic Gondreau, who has cerebral palsy, after celebrating his first Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The child struggled to complete the hug, and Pope Francis patiently waited for Dominic to get his arms around.
  • By Associated Press

| JOHNSTON, Rhode Island

A U.S. couple says they were speechless and moved to tears when Pope Francis hugged and kissed their 8-year-old son in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday.

Paul and Christina Gondreau of Johnston and their five children attended Easter Mass at the Vatican. The pope cradled their son, Dominic, who has cerebral palsy.

Videos and photos of the pontiff standing in the "popemobile" and holding Dominic were transmitted worldwide. Pope Francis also hugged and kissed other children as he greeted the crowd after Mass.

Paul Gondreau is a theology professor at Providence College and is teaching this semester in Rome.

A story on the Providence College website says Paul Gondreau called the moment "an incredibly moving encounter." He says his son teaches him daily lessons about how to love.

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