Millions of people travel around the world each year to meet Pope Francis, many of them prepared with customary gifts for the head of the Catholic Church – including CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell and Editor in Chief.
As she finished her recent historical interview With the Pope at the Vatican, O’Donnell surprised Francis with a personal gift from CBS News: a Walter Cronkite vinyl Special report 1969 on the moon landing.
The gift was inspired by Francis’ book, “Life: My Story Through History,” which chronicles the major historical moments the pontiff witnessed throughout his life, including a full chapter on the membership in millions of people who turned on their televisions in July 1969 to watch Cronkite’s coverage of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Francis wrote in the book: “I believe we all instinctively understood that the world would be different in one way or another from now on. Progress is fundamental – we must continue to move forward – but it must be in harmony with humanity’s capacity to manage it.
“Your Holiness, I read in your book that when you were growing up in seminary, you saw Neil Armstrong land on the moon, and it was on CBS – translated. This is a recording of that moment,” O’ said Donnell to Francis. , showing him the vinyl cover.
CBS News
“Oh!” exclaimed Francis smiling as he scanned the gift.
O’Donnell then showed Francis the back of the vinyl, which contained Armstrong’s iconic quote: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
“That’s very kind of you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Pray for me. Don’t forget. For, not against,” Francis responded as O’Donnell laughed. “Thank you so much.”
CBS News
Grub5
