Pope Francis Kisses Man Covered in Tumors

francis-nf — Pope Francis blesses a man with neurofibromatosis, a rare genetic disease.

(Image credit: YouTube screengrab from World News)

Since assuming the papacy, Pope Francis has espoused a life of humility and compassion in the tradition of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, who adopted a life of poverty and service to the sick.

On Wednesday (Nov. 6), the Pope demonstrated that commitment with stunning force as the world watched his general audience in St. Peter's Square. There, Francis openly embraced and kissed an unidentified man covered with tumors caused by neurofibromatosis, a rare genetic disease of the nervous system.

Neurofibromatosis, or NF, causes tumors to grow on nerves and nerve endings. The tumors are usually benign, but in some cases they may become malignant (cancerous), according to the National Institutes of Health.

The condition can appear in childhood or during the teen years, depending on the type of NF; symptoms include bone deformities, skin discoloration, bumps on or beneath the skin, hearing problems, poor balance, learning disabilities and severe pain. There is no cure for neurofibromatosis, though treatments, including pain medications and surgery, can help address some of the symptoms of the disease.

The Pope's simple act of tenderness has received considerable coverage by the news media. "The gesture is the latest in a series of actions by the Holy Father that have drawn attention for their warmth and affection towards the marginalized in society," the Catholic News Agency reported.

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Marc Lallanilla has been a science writer and health editor at About.com and a producer with ABCNews.com. His freelance writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and TheWeek.com. Marc has a Master's degree in environmental planning from the University of California, Berkeley, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin.