Sister Emmanuelle, a Belgian-born nun who dedicated her life to fighting poverty in poor countries, has died at the age of 99.
Sister Emmanuelle, a Belgian-born nun who dedicated her life to fighting poverty in poor countries, has died at the age of 99.
In the 1970s and 1980s, she devoted herself to helping poor children in the slums of the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
In the 1970s and 1980s, she devoted herself to helping poor children in the slums of the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
She focused on the health and education of children, often working with pregnant young girls.
She focused on the health and education of children, often working with pregnant young girls.
She was often outspoken in questioning Vatican policy, especially in relation to contraception.
She was often outspoken in questioning Vatican policy, especially in relation to contraception.
She died early on Monday at her home in the French southern town of Callian, one month short of her 100th birthday.
She died early on Monday at her home in the French southern town of Callian, one month short of her 100th birthday.
In her life memoir, published in August, she describes a youth spent dancing and flirting in 1920s Paris seeking "immediate pleasure".
In her life memoir, published in August, she describes a youth spent dancing and flirting in 1920s Paris seeking "immediate pleasure".
But she wrote that she always felt her vocation calling her and in 1929 she took her religious vows.
But she wrote that she always felt her vocation calling her and in 1929 she took her religious vows.
She founded the Asmae-Association Soeur Emmanuelle in 1980 to fight poverty and homelessness in a number of countries, including Egypt, Sudan, the Philippines and India.
She founded the Asmae-Association Soeur Emmanuelle in 1980 to fight poverty and homelessness in a number of countries, including Egypt, Sudan, the Philippines and India.
At the age of 63 she went to Cairo where she spent more than 20 years helping to build schools and clinics in the slums.
At the age of 63 she went to Cairo where she spent more than 20 years helping to build schools and clinics in the slums.
A spokesman for the Asmae-Association said she was not suffering from any illness when she died, but was tired.
A spokesman for the Asmae-Association said she was not suffering from any illness when she died, but was tired.
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