Pope Asks Bullied Chicago Girl to Sing for Him

A Chicago girl bullied by other kids because of her rare skin condition was brought to tears by Pope Francis on Monday when the pontiff asked her to sing for him.

“Be courageous,” he urged her with a smile, making his request in English.

And so Valerie Herrera, a 17-year-old senior at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Pilsen, let the joy in her heart spill out for the leader of the world’s Catholics, despite her nervousness and tears, during an ABC News exclusive special ahead of the pope’s visit to the United States.

The program, moderated by “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir, will air on Friday at 9 p.m. Central time. The virtual meeting took place between the pope and Americans in Chicago, Los Angeles and McAllen, Texas, including 150 students.

“I was so nervous and we were talking and I started crying because of the nerves,” Herrera told ABC.

She sang “By you, Mary,” the first song that came into her head. Because of the bullying, she sought solace in music.

“Thank you very much. It’s very kind of you,” he told her, beaming.

The special allows the pope to speak with Americans he won’t visit on his trip in late September. The pope will begin his U.S. trip in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 22, stop in New York City and then depart Philadelphia on Sept. 27.