92-year-old woman blessed with gift to help newborns

'I am very moved when they tell me that I'm their second mother.'

Obstetrician Maria Pollacci holds a very special record.

Rome, Italy (CNA/EWTN News) - She's delivered 7,642 babies and after a 72-year career - despite now being 92 years-old - is still receiving newborns coming into the world in Padavena, a small town in northern Italy.

Dr. Pollacci considers her work to be "the most beautiful in the world," and calls it a true "mission."

"It's an occupation that you have to do with love, kindness and skill. When I'm in front of a little one, I'm not working. I'm loving," she said. "To be an obstetrician you need love, passion and professionalism."

Maria Pollacci still remembers her first day at work on Sept. 3, 1945, and the name of the child she delivered. He was named Francesco and today he is 72 years-old.

"I met him when he was 25. I was in Lama Mocogno, a town in the province of Modena, Italy, where I was born. There was a party and people were dancing," she recalled.

"A handsome young man came up to me and said, 'May I have the honor of dancing with the person who delivered me?' Since then we see each other every year."

"Also at my house, every once in awhile, boys and girls that were born into my hands come to see me. I am very moved when they tell me that I'm their second mother," she said.

The Spanish daily ABC interviewed Dr. Pollacci when she was honored for her career at the famous San Remo Music Festival.

The last birth she assisted at was at the end of January in the town of Pedavena, in the province of Belluno, in northern Italy where she lives and works.

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