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It is one of the most significant images that marked Pope Francis’ visit to Morocco. While in the Kingdom, the head of the Catholic Church kissed the hand of father Jean-Pierre Schumacher, the last monk who survived the Tibhirine massacre.
After the ceremony that took place at Saint Peter’s Cathedral in Rabat, Pope Francis met the monk who lives in the monastery of Tibhirine, AFP reports, adding that it was a «very important moment».
Jean Pierre Shcumacher has been living in the Monastery, since 2000. Located on the heights of Midelt, the history of Notre-Dame Abbey is painful. Before settling down in Morocco, the abbey was born in Algeria.
Founded in 1938 in Draa-Esmar, formerly Lodi (Algeria), the Atlas Abbey was home to a terrific attack. During the Algerian Civil War, seven monks from Notre-Dame were kidnapped and killed in 1996.
Following this tragedy, Father Amédée Noto and Father Jean-Pierre Schumacher, who survived the attack, visited the monastery of Fès, where they founded Notre-Dame de l'Atlas on June 2, 1996. Four years later, in 2000, they settled down in Midelt.
Today, eight monks live there and lead a life characterized with simplicity. The monks perform common prayers seven times a day, personal and religious prayers, and personal readings and meditations of the sacred texts.
