Uploaded March 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
When radio journalist Alessandro Forlani attended an audience with new Pope Francis, he never expected that, along with his guide dog Asia, he would get to meet the pontiff face to face. But to his surprise, while he was sitting with his media colleagues, a Swiss Guard informed him that the Pope had spotted him and his dog and would like to meet them. In a fitting image for a pope inspired by the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi, Francis bent down to caress the dog and offered a blessing to Asia. Forlani's presence on stage with Asia was not prearranged and broke with ceremonial rules. (Thanks to RomeReport.com and Allesandro Forlani.
When radio journalist Alessandro Forlani attended an audience with new Pope Francis, he never expected that, along with his guide dog Asia, he would get to meet the pontiff face to face. But to his surprise, while he was sitting with his media colleagues, a Swiss Guard informed him that the Pope had spotted him and his dog and would like to meet them. In a fitting image for a pope inspired by the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi, Francis bent down to caress the dog and offered a blessing to Asia. Forlani's presence on stage with Asia was not prearranged and broke with ceremonial rules. (Thanks to RomeReport.com and Allesandro Forlani.
