Who is the lady of the yellow flowers to which Pope Francis dedicated a few words when leaving the Gemelli Hospital

The first words of Pope Francis after receiving Hospital Distraker from the Gemelli had generated great expectation. Even with notable effortsthe pontiff dedicated a brief phrase to return part of the love received during this little more than a month in which he has feared for his life. Millions of people around the world prayed for their recovery and, although there is time for them to be 100%, those who could also approach the ‘Papas Hospital’ to pray and wish him closely that the infection refers.

One of the people who has most attracted the attention of those present and Francisco himself has been the one who has already been baptized as THE WOMAN OF THE YELLOW FLOWERS. In fact, in the brief and difficult speech that he dedicated to those present in front of the Gemelli, the Pontiff set out precisely in it: «Thank you all. I see the yellow lady, it is good ».

All eyes went to an older woman who was present, stirring an exultant bouquet and on the edge of tears for emotion not only to see Francisco, but for the emotional words and the gesture he dedicated.

The origin of the custom of the yellow flower bouquet: a three -month -old girl

The woman is called Carmela Mancusohas 78, is from Monterrosso, in the Calabria region, and until she retired she was a teacher. Everyone knows her as Carmelina.

Inhabitant of Rome for six years, when the convalescence of the Pope began he decided to approach when he could. Every day that came, and it was at least a dozen, he had some yellow flowers He worried about sending him to the Holy Father’s room. It is already his hallmark and, in fact, before the convalescence of the Pope, he had already gone several Wednesday to the audience in the Plaza de San Pedro with the deck of roses in his hand. For her, As explained to ‘Vatican News’It is a therapy.

And for Mrs. Mancuso, a faint woman, soft manners, kind face and affectionate smile to all who approach her, the bouquet of yellow roses has been a kind of talisman. Years ago, Carmela met in the Bambino Gesú Pediatric Hospital The story of a girl of only three months to which they had to operate. He met the little girl’s aunt during a visit to the divine mercy, a church near San Pedro, and learned of her situation. The aunt was afraid to go to the hospital to see the baby and Carmela decided to accompany her. He carried a bouquet of yellow roses.

«Since then, I always started carrying flowers in thanks. In fact, every time I carry flowers, I put a card with many messages and ask for a blessing for my family and friends. And for a month also for the Pope, ”he told the Vatican media.

El Ramo, in Santa María la Mayor

The Pope received the bouquet of yellow roses, but he did not stay … because he already had his destiny. Francisco has a habit in each trip he does: when he returns to Rome he approaches to pray to one of the so -called four greats, the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor. After this trip, in this case to the hospital, too.

After leaving the Gemelli, the Pope asked to deviate to approach there. As it was not an planned stop, a ramp was not prepared so that the stairs could climb to the temple, so he had to settle for delivering a very special gift as an offering: The Carmela Mancuso bouquet.

Cardinal Makrickas was in charge of depositing the bouquet at the foot of the Salus Populi Romanithe protector of the Roman people better known as Our Lady of the Nieves, a painting attributed to Luke the evangelist and that dates from the end of the seventh century.

Aware of all the stir that has formed around her and her bouquet of flowers, Carmela asks not to stop praying now, although the Pope has left the hospital.

«Let’s encourage it, let’s accompany him, he will get it. He will get it as the Bambino Gesù girl who cured. He too, surely»He wished, with a fervent faith and contagious joy.