When a 31 year old woman in Reiti, Italy was rushed to the hospital this past Wednesday, complaining of stomach pains, no one had any idea she was pregnant–not even her. Shortly after her arrival, however, doctors began to suspect that her stomach pains were actually labor pains. She rejected this idea vehemently; the Italian press quotes her as saying “It’s not possible, I’m a nun.”
The doctors proved to be right though, and little Francesco (Francis) was born. The woman, who is from El Salvador, named the baby after the Pope, reports the BBC.
After giving birth, she continued to maintain that she was unaware of the pregnancy.
The other nuns in her covenant were “surprised” to hear of her pregnancy. The mother superior of her covenant says she “believes the woman fell to temptation on a trip back home to El Salvador.”
Local pastor Don Fabrizio Borrello told the media that the new mother plans to take care of the baby.
The Bishop of Reiti says he would find it “preferable that she now lead a secular life with her baby, away from religious institutions”–or in other words, he believes it best that she’s no longer in the covenant. Despite this, local diocese are offering the new mom and baby Frances assistance until their future is decided.
Hospital personnel, the diocese, and local residents are now collecting donations for the new family.
April Dawn (@scarlettsinatra)
