Pope Francis has taken chocolates and a bouquet of roses to the Italian politician who successfully campaigned to legalise abortion in the 1970s.
Emma Bonino, 76, who was recently discharged from hospital after treatment for heart and respiratory problems, received the Pontiff in her home where the pair were pictured chatting in their wheelchairs on her terrace.
Afterwards, Ms Bonino said on X that Francis, 87, had praised her as an example of “freedom and resistance”.
She said: “This morning, with great surprise and full of emotion, His Holiness paid me a very welcome visit.
