Pope Francis arrives in Assisi

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis arrived in the central Italian city of Assisi this morning, ahead of schedule, despite slightly inclement weather and cloud cover. The Pope traveled by helicopter and was welcomed by the president of the Italian Senate, Piero Grasso, and the president of the Umbria region, Catiuscia Marini. Pope Francis has just concluded a visit to the Seraphicum Institute, where he met with sick and disabled children who are assisted by the facility.

Vatican Radio's English-language reporter in Assisi, Christopher Wells, tells us plgrims from around the world were up early to make the journey up the hill to the old town centre:

The Feast of Saint Francis, who is the Patron Saint of Italy, is always an important civic and religious festival, but the pastoral visit of the first Pope to take the name Francis has made the atmosphere here electric. White and yellow banners stream from almost every building, interspersed with the red and blue that represent the colours of Assisi. Images of Francis – both the Saint and the Pope – are everywhere.


Pope Francis ' busy schedule Friday will take him around the whole city as he visits the most important sites connected to the life of “the Little Poor Man” of Assisi.