Monday, 18 November 2013

I felt as though my heart was leaving my body': Terribly disfigured man who was held by the Pope relives the moment that moved the world

Vinicio Riva (left), from Vicenza in northern Italy, with his aunt, Caterina Lotto, 68, (centre) and his sister MorenaThe disfigured man whose full-body tumours were lovingly kissed by the Pope has told the moving story of his life for the first time.
Vinicio Riva, from Vicenza in northern Italy, is covered from head-to-toe by the growths, a symptom of his genetic disease neurofibromatosis.
Earlier this month the 53-year-old's picture shot round the world, when he was warmly embraced by Pope Francis at one of the pontiff's weekly audiences.
  • Vinicio Riva, 53, suffers from the genetic disease neorofibramatosis
  • The condition has left him covered from head-to-toe by growths
  • Earlier this month Pope Francis embraced him in St Peter's Square
  • Images of the touching encounter shot around the worldMr Riva is covered from head-to-toe by the growths, a symptom of his genetic disease, neorofibramatosisClose to his heart: Vinicio Riva with a picture of his late mother Rosaria, who suffered from the same condition he doesVinicio Riva's mother, who died of the genetic disease he suffers from called neorofibramatosis
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