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....
Dr. Alan Cairns | 8/3/2009
