Pope Francis blesses Sudanese woman of strong faith

Mariam Ibrahim refused to renounce faith despite death sentence

Pope Francis blesses Mariam Ibrahim of Sudan during a private meeting
at the Vatican July 24. (CNS / L'Osservatore Romano / Reuters)

A Catholic woman in Sudan was pregnant when she was handed a death sentence in May. The crime? Allegedly converting from Islam.

Thanks to international calls for her freedom, Mariam Ibrahim was released and, just today, blessed by Pope Francis for her faith.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, told journalists that the encounter in the Pope's residence was marked by "affection" and "great serenity and joy."

They had "a beautiful conversation," during which the Pope thanked Ibrahim for "her steadfast witness of faith," the priest said.

Ibrahim thanked the Pope for the Church's prayers and support during her plight.

Read more about that encounter from Catholic News Service.