Heart-wrenching moment fifteen-year-old girl suffering from cancer - and with voice of an angel - sings Ave Maria to the Pope

 moment fifteen-year-old girl suffering from cancer - and with voice of an angel - sings Ave Maria to the Pope and moves entire Mexican hospital ward to tears

 Credit: CNN
While Pope Francis visited Federico Gomez hospital a young patient (centre) from the cancer ward sang a beautiful a capella version of Ave Maria for him, bringing the room to tears

Credit: CNN
The girl has been identified as 15-year-old Alexia Garduño (left and right) who suffers from osteosarcoma

It was the day of love - and even Pope Francis got a Valentine's surprise.

In his last formal appointment of his second full day in Mexico, Francis visited a pediatric hospital where he kissed dozens of sick children and even dished out medicine.

At one particularly poignant moment, a young patient from the cancer ward sang a beautiful a capella version of Ave Maria for him, bringing the room to tears. 

The girl has been identified by the Catholic News Agency as 15-year-old Alexia Garduño, who suffers from osteosarcoma. 

Credit: CNN
In his last formal appointment of his second full day in Mexico, he visited a pediatric hospital where he kissed dozens of sick children. Pictured: Pope Francis speaks with a child during his visit to the Federico GÛmez children's hospital

The pope makes a point of stopping at children's hospitals during his foreign trips, both to visit with the kids and to thank the staff for caring for them. While parts of the encounters are televised, Francis also visits bedridden patients in private for more personal encounters. 

But despite his warmth towards the sick patients and their staff, the Pope delivered a strong message to the country once again.

 

 

Credit: AFP/ Getty Images

And one admirer, who was wheelchair-bound - was particularly charmed by the holy visit and offered Francis a handmade card with a big heart on the front.

Francis asked: 'You made this? Gracias.' 

His visit to the Federico Gomez hospital was clearly well-received with some posing for selfies, while others managed to rise from their wheelchairs to embrace him.

 Credit: AFP/ Getty Images

 

Credit: AFP/ Getty Images 

 

 Credit:APViolence: Ecatepec has one of the highest murder rates in the country, and is one of the most dangerous places for women

 Credit: EPA'Merchants of death': The pontiff urged his flock to reject emigration and 'merchants of death' 

 

credit: reuters
On Saturday, he issued a pair of tough-love messages to Mexico's political and church elite, telling them they have a duty to provide security, justice and courageous pastoral care

It will be a strikingly different backdrop from the pageantry of Friday night's red-carpet welcome Pope Francis received at Mexico City airport.

He was greeted by President Enrique Pena Nieto and first lady Angelica Rivera. There were also performances by folkloric dancers and mariachi musicians.

 Credit: APDedication: Thousands of worshipers lined the street overnight for a front row seat to see Pope Francis 

Throngs lined the concrete-laden streets of Ecatepec, whose walls were decorated with graffiti art featuring the pope's image, to cheer the popemobile on the second full day of a trip that will take him to other Mexican hotspots.

Thousands had spent the night outdoors, wrapping themselves in blankets and using cardboard as makeshift tents against the freezing cold.

Hundreds of police officers stood guard around the field.

'We know that Ecatepec has a lot of problems like the lack of security and kidnappings,' said Rodrigo Perez, a 25-year-old public security student.

credit: AP

He was greeted by President Enrique Pena Nieto and first lady Angelica Rivera. There were also performances by folkloric dancers and mariachi musicians

credit: EPA

In a subsequent address to his own bishops, he challenged church leaders known for their deference to Mexico's wealthy and powerful to denounce the 'insidious threat' of the drug trade

credit: AFP/Getty Images

After delivering his homily, he sat silently in front of the image of the Virgin for nearly five minutes while the Mass continued. Later, he moved into a chamber behind the altar where the image is kept for nearly 30 minutes, fulfilling a wish to pray quietly before Mexico's patron saint

In a subsequent address to his own bishops, he challenged church leaders known for their deference to Mexico's wealthy and powerful to denounce the 'insidious threat' of the drug trade and be true pastors instead of career-minded clerics who spew inoffensive denunciations that make them sound like 'babbling orphans beside a tomb.'

He urged bishops to get close to their flock and help Mexicans 'finally escape the raging waters that drown so many, either victims of the drug trade or those who stand before God with their hands drenched in blood, though with pockets filled with sordid money and their consciences deadened.'

Francis ended his public activities Saturday at the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which is the largest and most important Marian shrine in the world.

After delivering his homily, he sat silently in front of the image of the Virgin for nearly five minutes while the Mass continued. Later, he moved into a chamber behind the altar where the image is kept for nearly 30 minutes, fulfilling a wish to pray quietly before Mexico's patron saint.

'Just by looking at [the Virgin], Mexico can be understood completely,' Francis said earlier. 

 Credit: TNS
Speaking to the president and other members of government at the National Palace, Pope Francis said public officials must be honest and not be seduced by corruption and privilege that benefits the few to the detriment of the many

credit: AP

Police escort Pope Francis as he makes his way through one of Mexico City's main avenues on the popemobile

Credit: Reuters

Peace: Attendees of the service said the Pope's visit was a chance to talk about 'peace and security'

Curtesy: Dailymsil