Pope Francis' Unexpected Visit to Emma Bonino: Bridging Ideological Gaps

Pope Francis visited former Italian politician Emma Bonino, known for legalizing abortion in the 1970s. Despite opposing abortion, Francis has engaged with anti-clerical figures like Bonino, who recently recovered from cancer. His visit reflects a continuous dialogue with diverse Italian personalities, demonstrating his broader outreach efforts.

Pope Francis made an unexpected visit to Emma Bonino, a former Italian politician notable for her role in legalizing abortion in the 1970s, a stance Francis commonly contests.

The pope, who leads the vast 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church, has been vocal about his opposition to abortion, describing it as "murder" and akin to "hiring a hit man." Yet, despite this, he has initiated interactions with several Italian figures holding opposing views, including Bonino.

Bonino, who recently overcame a long-term battle with lung cancer, received Francis at her Rome apartment, marking a rare public engagement of the pope outside Vatican confines. The Vatican confirmed his visit, while Bonino refrained from commenting. This visit underlines Francis' ongoing commitment to open dialogues with diverse voices, reminiscent of his previous meetings with the atheist Eugenio Scalfari.

(With inputs from agencies.)