Pope Francis in wheelchair bursts into tears as he shakes hands with Bono at Rome University

U2 frontman Bono Vox and wheelchair-bound Pope Francis co-founded a women’s education foundation in Rome on Thursday.

Bono, 62, and the Pope, 85, share a platform organized by the Latin “Scholas Occcurrentes,” a global network of schools promoting educational opportunities.

The Pope launched the Scholas Occcurrentes international education campaign while meeting young people in the Italian capital on May 19.

The event took place on Thursday evening at the Pontifical City University called Urbaniana, located within walking distance of St. Peter’s Square.

‘Girls’ education is a superpower in the fight against extreme poverty and I wanted to ask His Holiness if you think women and girls have an equally important role to play in changing the world and climate change,” said the Dubliner.

On Thursday, the Pope and U2 singer Bono Vox launched a “Pontifical Foundation” for women’s education at the Pontifical City University of Rome in Rome

Pope Francis (right), Scholas Occcurrentes founder Jose Maria del Corral (C) and Irish rock band U2 frontman Bono (left) pose for a photo with attendees during the launch of the Scholas Occcurrentes International Movement at Pope Urbana University Rome

The Pope used a wheelchair in public for the first time in early May, days after he said he was being treated for knee pain

Bono says girls’ education a ‘superpower’ to fight extreme poverty

Francis replied yes, saying “we’re talking about Mother Earth, not Father Earth,” and his smile drew applause.

The Pope used a wheelchair in public for the first time in early May, days after he said he was being treated for knee pain.

Young students welcome the Pope with chants and recitals on the theme of protecting the environment.

“We need poetry and courage to care for our common home, and we must defend the harmony of creation, which women know better than we men,” Francis said.

Scholas Occcurrentes was originally created as an educational project for children in impoverished areas of Buenos Aires on the initiative of the then Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (now Pope Francis) .

The project has since expanded to more than 70 countries, many in developing countries.

In his speech, Bono said he had given music lessons to students earlier in the day and called for broader educational opportunities for young people.

Pope tells young people to live courageously and poetically and “beyond political correctness”.

Brazilian football star Ronaldinho Gaucho unexpectedly walked in and gave sports fan Pope Francis a jersey with the Pope’s name “Francesco” and the number 10.

Also in attendance were Brazilian footballer Dani Alves and Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodriguez, who jogged with football as the event kicked off.

During the inauguration, organizers also announced another peaceful football match in honor of the late football legend Diego Maradona.

The match will take place on October 10 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Maxi Rodriguez, Ronaldinho and Dani Alves take part in the celebration of the international academic movement at the Pontifical City University.Ronaldinho presents Pope Francis with a jersey bearing his name ‘Francisco’ and number 10

Pope Francis signs a soccer ball during the launch of the Scholas Occcurrentes international campaign

Pope Francis and Scholas Occcurrentes President Jose Maria del Corral (left) watches as Newell’s Old Boys captain Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodriguez jogs a football at the ‘Scholas Occcurrentes’ launch

The event took place on Thursday evening at the Pontifical City University called Urbaniana, located within walking distance of St. Peter’s Square