Pope allows homeless man to be buried within Vatican walls

Pope Francis has once again shown his generosity by allowing a Belgian homeless man to be buried in the Vatican, reports the Patria news agency.

Willy Herteleer, who died in December, lived on the streets around St. Peter's Square. He was well known to many priests in the area. They bought him food and water, and he begged from tourists, writes the Independent.

The Pope approved his burial within the boundaries of a cemetery that is otherwise reserved for the burial of elderly German priests. The unusual request was made to the Pope by Monsignor Amerigo Ciani.

"This is undoubtedly the first time a homeless person has been buried within the Vatican walls," confirmed a Vatican spokesman.

The gesture is the latest move by the Pope in promoting the rights and well-being of the poor. On his birthday in December last year, the Pope gave sleeping bags to homeless people across Rome. Showers for the homeless were installed in public toilets outside St. Peter's Square.