Pope Francis has said that parents of autistic children must be accepted “without shame” and spoke of the need to “break down the stigma and isolation” at an unprecedented Vatican conference on the condition.
The event, “The Person with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Animating Hope,” was the biggest medical conference of its kind on autism, with some 650 experts from 57 countries.
Speaking on the final day Pope Francis urged the Church to show solidarity to parents and launched a network of support and services to “help families overcome feelings of inadequacy and frustration.”
He said: "It is necessary, the commitment of everyone, in order to promote encounters and solidarity, in a concrete action of support and renewed promotion of hope," the Pope said.
After praying with the families, Francis kissed the children and cupped their faces in his hands. Some appeared uncomfortable and avoided his gaze but one teenager whom the Pope had greeted followed him and gave him another hug from behind.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impaired social interaction.
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