Pope Francis Inspires Bronx Baker To Give Away Special Cookies For Free
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Pope Francis, who told devout Catholics to give to the poor, has inspired at least one New Yorker.
Joseph Artuso of Artuso Pastry Shop at 670 East 187th Street in the Bronx crafted a sugary salute to the Holy Father - an image of Pope Francis printed with food coloring ink on sugar paper atop a black and white cookie.
Artuso doesn't want to be interviewed, but his actions speak loudly enough for him.
Papal Cookie In The Bronx Just Touches The Surface Of The Real Story
Before his shop opens, people in need stop by and Artuso, a devout Catholic, doles out pastries and cookies, no charge.
"If he got and you ask him and you need it, he'll give it to you," Yvonne Hall told WCBS 880 reporter Sean Adams on Friday.
"Has he helped people turn their lives around?" asked Adams.
"Yes," Hall said. "I'm one of them."
"What did he do for you?" asked Adams.
"He just talk and helped me, you know, give God's word," she said. "I'm in a very better place."
She said that, in some ways, Artuso is like the new Pope - humble, simple, and always ready to serve the poor.
Artuso doesn't want the spotlight. He just hopes people will take the time to do something nice for one another to make this world a better place.
What do you make of Artuso's creation? Sound off in our comments section below.
