maria goretti. >> it is amaze manning. >> reporter: encased in a wax sculpture her body ace traveling for first time to the united states, as a tore called the pilgrimage have of mercy. >> in some sense mercy is what christianity is. jesus christ is the the mercy of god the father. >> reporter: in 1902 goretti was tabbed to death in italy at the age of 12 during a rape attempt n her last hour she forgave her attacker and according to church history appeared to him while in jail. man later became a franciscan friar and goretti is known as patronage of mercy. >> the the fact that she forgave him, i think that was pretty a amazing to me. >> to have that much compassion for her murderer at that age is really fascinating. it is unbelievable i could be willing to forgive somebody at 12 years old for anything. >> reporter: goretti's tour hits 53 cities in 55 days and is intended to prepare catholics for the year of mers that i pope francis declared will begin december 8th. father carlos martin who direct the tour says for some, the experience is life changing. >> a example for this morning a