The Pope took 2,000 homeless people, refugees and prisoners to the circus in Rome

The Vatican hosted 2,000 homeless people, refugees and prisoners at the Rony Roller circus on Thursday afternoon, where medics were also on hand to give free check-ups to those who needed it.

An horse trainer of Rony Roller Circus performs during a show offered by Pope Francis to needy persons in Rome Reuters

The show was opened by a Spanish singer-songwriter who used to be homeless himself. He dedicated the song to Pope Francis and described it as "an opening prayer and expression of gratitude to the Holy Father for this new act of closeness to each one of them."

Pope Francis mentioned the circus in an address a year ago, and implied his desire to share its beauty with others.

article,article,article,article Related

"People who perform in the circus create beauty, they are creators of beauty. And this is good for the soul. And we are so much in need of beauty!" he said in January last year.

A statement released yesterday by the Apostolic Almoner's office confirmed that "a group of homeless people, refugees, prisoners and people living in poverty" had attended the show in Rome.

Circus performers "with perseverance, commitment and many sacrifices are able to create and give beauty to themselves and to others," the statement added.

"The gift... may encourage our poorest brethren to overcome the hardships of life, which often seem overwhelming and insurmountable."

On site, doctors and nurses from the Vatican Health Services gave free medical check-ups.

related articles
Revolutionising Roman Catholic Church: How Pope Francis won the hearts of people in 2015
Revolutionising Roman Catholic Church: How Pope Francis won the hearts of people in 2015

Revolutionising Roman Catholic Church: How Pope Francis won the hearts of people in 2015

Pope Francis to welcome thousands of migrants in St Peter\'s Square
Pope Francis to welcome thousands of migrants in St Peter's Square

Pope Francis to welcome thousands of migrants in St Peter's Square

Pope Francis: All true religion leads to peace

Pope Francis: All true religion leads to peace

Why the Pope\'s endorsement of prayer is both empowering and challenging
Why the Pope's endorsement of prayer is both empowering and challenging

Why the Pope's endorsement of prayer is both empowering and challenging

News
The woeful ignorance of Justin Welby - Part Two 
The woeful ignorance of Justin Welby - Part Two 

Polyamory and open marriages are the next frontier for progressives. Yet the Church seems to be sleeping at the wheel.

Christian family expelled from Indian village after forced conversion attempt
Christian family expelled from Indian village after forced conversion attempt

Chhattisgarh is increasingly becoming a concerning place for Christians

Ugandan Christian convert killed by Muslim relatives while praying at home
Ugandan Christian convert killed by Muslim relatives while praying at home

A 37-year-old Christian convert in eastern Uganda was killed by members of his own family on Friday 18 July after they forced their way into his home and found him praying in the name of Jesus, according to local sources.

The Bible and food: why it's so much more than eating
The Bible and food: why it's so much more than eating

Eating - and eating together - is never a side note in the biblical story. It is one of the ways God forms community, renews covenant, and reveals Himself.