Pope hears teenagers’ confessions in surprise appearance

POPE FRANCIS made a surprise appearance at the Jubilee for Teens in St Peters Square and listened to the confessions of 16 randomly selected boys and girls.

The Pope was just one of 150 priests who took seats on the square in front of St Peter’s Basilica to meet the banner-waving teenagers, who took part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation before making their way through the Holy Door.

The event, attended by thousands of 13 to 16-year-olds from all over the world, gives them a chance to reflect on the theme ‘Merciful like the Father’.

Earlier this year in a Jubilee message to the teenagers, the Pope urged them: “Don’t just prepare your rucksacks and your banners, but your hearts and minds as well.”

On Sunday, April 24, Francis will conduct a special mass in the square for the youngsters.