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Rhinebeck Woman With Huntington's Disease Meets With Pope Francis

RHINEBECK, N.Y. -- Bridgette Nathan, a 24-year-old battling Huntington's Disease, traveled to Rome to meet with Pope Francis last week.

Bridgette Nathan hugs Pope Francis

Bridgette Nathan hugs Pope Francis

Photo Credit: Contributed

Nathan, who resides at ArchCare at Ferncliff's Center for Neurodegenerative Care, met with the Pope as part of HDdennomore, a global initiative at the Vatican to raise awareness about the disease.

"I had a great time meeting Pope Francis; I felt like I was on top of the world,” said Nathan. “He gave me hope. As he embraced me, Pope Francis told me that I'm just as holy as he is. He told me to pray for him. It made me speechless when he said that to me."

Nathan has lost her mother and brother to Huntington's. 

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