Baby abandoned in a bag, Bertolaso: 'We would like to call him Leone'

The newborn found yesterday in a plastic bag in Cinisello Balsamo and is now hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of Niguarda in Milan is in stable conditions, is "overall well and is breathing independently".

"He is cared for with great love by the hospital staff. Now we are waiting for him to start sucking milk, we hope it will happen in the next few hours" explained the regional councilor for Welfare Guido Bertolaso ​​who shared the choice of name with the hospital staff.

"We would like to call him Leo" like the Holy Father, he revealed, making an appeal to new mothers to give birth in hospital. "It is possible to go to a hospital, be assisted during childbirth and choose not to recognize your child, maintaining anonymity in the ways required by law. The mother who abandoned her child in the middle of the street - he recalled - could have done this. It would have been much better for the health of both".

When Leone arrived at the hospital "he was in hypothermia, with a body temperature lower than normal. The Areu 118 rescuers intervened immediately, providing first aid: the umbilical cord was torn and the placenta was in the plastic bag together with the baby. Considering the dramatic circumstances in which he was found - observed Bertolaso -, his conditions are overall good. I thank all those who intervened and who, from the first moment, are taking take care of him."

The name chosen for him "is a name that is intended first and foremost to be a wish for a speedy recovery for the Holy Father, but also a hope for this child. He has already faced an extremely difficult situation and has shown that he is reacting. We wish him to find the strength and courage necessary to face the challenges that await him and to be able to grow up surrounded by the affection and care that every child needs".