Vatican City, Holy See : Pope Francis on Saturday heard confessions from 16 teenagers after a surprise appearance in St Peter's square to greet thousands of young people attending his holy year youth day.
The 16 boys and girls were among tens of thousands of 13 to 16-year-olds visiting the Vatican this weekend as part of Francis's Jubilee year dedicated to the theme of mercy.
Thousands of them confessed to a total of 150 priests on duty at St Peter's before passing through a door of the basilica that is only open for the duration of the Jubilee, which started in December and runs to November.
Under Catholic tradition, passing through a so-called holy door entitles believers to special indulgences during jubilees.
For this one, the first since 2000, Francis has authorised priests to absolve women who have had abortions.
The Holy Year is also a time when the faithful are encouraged to reflect on their faith and renew their relationship with God.
There were no special arrangements for the 79-year-old pope to hear the confessions of the teenagers selected to speak to him.
They all appeared relaxed as they sat on simple chairs face-to-face with the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
Francis shooks hands warmly with each of them and spent a total of an hour and a quarter on the square before departing with a cheery "ciao ragazzi" (Bye guys!).
After the religious ceremonies the mostly Italian teenagers were due to be entertained by rock and rap stars at a concert on Saturday evening in Rome's Stadio Olimpico.
Many of them will be back at St Peter's on Sunday for a special mass led by Francis.
Earlier in the day the pontiff was presented with a pistachio and hazelnut cake featuring an image of St George slaying a dragon.
The Pope's real first name, Jorge, is the Spanish equivalent of George and April 23 is St George's day.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The 16 boys and girls were among tens of thousands of 13 to 16-year-olds visiting the Vatican this weekend as part of Francis's Jubilee year dedicated to the theme of mercy.
Thousands of them confessed to a total of 150 priests on duty at St Peter's before passing through a door of the basilica that is only open for the duration of the Jubilee, which started in December and runs to November.
For this one, the first since 2000, Francis has authorised priests to absolve women who have had abortions.
Advertisement
There were no special arrangements for the 79-year-old pope to hear the confessions of the teenagers selected to speak to him.
Advertisement
Francis shooks hands warmly with each of them and spent a total of an hour and a quarter on the square before departing with a cheery "ciao ragazzi" (Bye guys!).
Advertisement
Many of them will be back at St Peter's on Sunday for a special mass led by Francis.
Advertisement
The Pope's real first name, Jorge, is the Spanish equivalent of George and April 23 is St George's day.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Dostoevsky To Proust, Pope Francis Lists His Favourite Authors "Democracy Not In Good Health": Pope Francis' Warning To "Populists" As BJP Slams Post On PM-Pope, Kerala Congress's Apology, With A Retort Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan 3 Days After Big Order On Deposits With SBI And PNB, Karnataka Hits Pause Man Clambers Up 2 Floors, Films Woman Taking Bath; Case Filed: Cops US Warns Iran Faces "Cataclysmic" Consequences If It Strikes Israel 20 Coaches Of Sabarmati Express Train Derail In UP, No Casualties Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.