Pope Francis has won the admiration of his followers for his common touch and his accessibility.
And yesterday his compassion for a disfigured man prompted comparisons to the 13th Century's St Francis of Assisi.
The Pope kissed and prayed with the ailing man who was battling neurofibromatosis - the rare disease said to have affected the Elephant Man.
Act of kindness: Pope Francis (left) comforts a man covered in boils in Saint Peter's Square at the end of his General Audience in Vatican City
Touching moment: The pontiff kissed the worshiper, who suffers from a rare disease called neurofibromatosis, which is genetic and not contagious
