Pope meets with steel workers in Italian port city of Genoa<

Pope Francis has begun a one-day
visit to the northern Italian port city of Genoa to meet with workers, poor and
homeless people, refugees and prisoners. His opened his visit at ILVA, a
troubled steel-making company, where workers in hard hats awaited him. The visit
puts a focus on the plight of workers whose lives have been made precarious by
years of economic crisis. He traveled through a large factory hall in a
small electric car, waving and reaching out to shake hands with admirers, many
of whom held small white-and-yellow papal flags. People snapped photos with
smart phones and said “viva il papa!” _ which means “long live the pope!” Later the pontiff is to
also meet with poor and homeless people as well as refugees and prisoners.