Millions of people travel around the world every year to meet Pope Francis, many coming prepared with the usual gifts for the head of the Catholic Church — including CBS Evening News anchor and editor-in-chief Norah O’Donnell.
As she wrapped up her recent book historical interview with the Pope in Vatican City, O’Donnell surprised Francis with a personal gift from CBS News: a vinyl of Walter Cronkite’s 1969 Special Report on the moon landing.
The gift was inspired by Francis’ book, “Life: My Story Through History,” which details key historical moments the pope witnessed throughout his life, including an entire chapter on participation in the church. millions of people who turned on their television sets 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 now in some way. Progress is fundamental – we must keep moving – but it must be in harmony with the capacity of humanity to deal with 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 an account of that moment,” O’Donnell told Francis . , showing him the vinyl cover.
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“Oh!” Francis exclaimed, smiling as he scanned the gift.
O’Donnell then showed Francis the back of the vinyl, which featured Armstrong’s iconic quote: “One small step for man, one giant leap for humanity.”
‘That’s very kind of you. Thank you. Thank you. Pray for me. Do not forget it. For, not against,” Francis replied as O’Donnell laughed. “Thank you.”
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