Pope Francis is famous for being a welcoming personality. This time, he'll be spending time with a very special person, a 13-year-old named Jake.
CBS news reports that 13-year-old Jake Edwards is the current Autism Ambassador in Montgomery County, and he will share a special message with the White House, and to the leader of the Catholic faith, Pope Francis.
The young man is very active, and is currently involved with the local law enforcement authorities, helping them understand people who are different.
"There are many different forms of autism, if someone doesn't talk maybe it's because they can't. If someone doesn't look at you, maybe it's too painful for them," explained the young autism ambassador in a public announcement.
He will meet the pope on Wednesday, Sept. 23. In meeting the pope, he will represent the Archdiocese of Washington's Special Needs Ministry. He said that he will talk about his blessings, and how thankful he is.
In an interview shown in the website The World According To Jake, which is operated by his mom Jenn Lynn, Jake was asked about his thoughts in seeing the pope.
"It's going to be cool and fun and he might give me a lot of blessings. Is it going to be on TV? Can I hug him?" he said, obviously excited.
"If you get a chance to talk to him," the interviewer asks, "what will you say?"
"I will say Thank You for helping me with a lot of blessings and praying over me," said the young autism ambassador. "Thank you for making everyone feel comfortable with God. "
CBS reports that Jenn Lynn said that there is no word to describe this. She likes to say that her son has super powers, as his brain "moves so fast" and his recall ability, or memory, is "off the charts."
"We need to learn to accept them, and that's his main thing. He talks about 'why can't everyone be nice?' why can't you just be nice?" explained proud mom Jenn Lynn.
Yesterday, Jake and some other people were honored as Champions of Change by the White House. Of them was Officer Laurie Reyes of the Montgomery County Department' Autism Outreach Program, making them the only two coming the Montgomery County area.
His journey this week doesn't end there, as the young ambassador will also speak to law enforcement officers at a crisis intervention workshop in Rutherford, N.C. this Friday, Sept. 25.
