This morning Pope Francis kissed and blessed a man suffering from severe facial disfigurement during his audience in St. Peter’s Square. We may not know the words the Holy Father prayed, but it is a living reminder of this story from the Gospel of Matthew:

When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” –Matthew 8:1-4