A formerly undocumented Nigerian migrant who became a hero when he disarmed an Italian thief has been baptised by Pope Francis during the Easter Vigil in St Peter’s Basilica.
John Ogah, a 31-year-old from Nigeria, was jobless and begging outside a supermarket in Rome when he confronted a man with a meat cleaver attempting to rob the store.
Ogah, who had crossed the Mediterranean to Italy in a smuggler’s boat and did not have permission to stay in the country, wrestled the armed robber to the floor and held him down until the police arrived. He then fled the scene fearing that it would be discovered that he did not have documents, according to La Repubblica newspaper.
Local police, using footage from surveillance cameras, tracked Ogah down and rewarded him by helping him get legal permission to stay in the country. The Italian press hailed his bravery, dubbing him the “migrant hero”.
The police captain, Nunzio Carbone, who helped Ogah to secure his immigration papers, was his godfather, or sponsor, at Saturday’s baptism service, which was attended by around 10,000 people.
The pope traditionally welcomes new members of the Church during the Easter Vigil. The other newly baptised came from Albania, Peru, Italy and the United States.
Francis has made defence of migrants a key part of his papacy.
PICTURE: Pope Francis baptises John Francesco Ogah during an Easter vigil ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica , 31 march 2018. (Photo by Massimo Valicchia/NurPhoto/Sipa USA)
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