By Katie Reilly
A young cancer patient serenaded Pope Francis with “Ave Maria” during the pontiff’s trip to Mexico City.
The Pope was visiting Federico Gomez Pediatric Hospital in Mexico City on Sunday when he met the girl, who sang as onlookers wiped tears from their eyes, ABC News reports. The Pontiff gave her a hug when she finished.
The visit was part of Pope Francis’ first official trip to Mexico, where he has drawn attention for planning stops at areas near the U.S. border and in cities troubled with drug violence and corruption.
“I ask God to bless you, and to accompany you and your families, and all those people who work in this home and try to ensure that your smiles grow day by day,” he said.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Introducing the 2024 TIME100 Next
- The Reinvention of J.D. Vance
- How to Survive Election Season Without Losing Your Mind
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Scams
- Did the Pandemic Break Our Brains?
- The Many Lives of Jack Antonoff
- 33 True Crime Documentaries That Shaped the Genre
- Why Gut Health Issues Are More Common in Women
Write to Katie Reilly at Katie.Reilly@time.com