Pope Francis left the Vatican Thursday afternoon by car to visit a Roman parish for the second time in a week, ANSA sources said. The Pontiff visited the modern church of St John Mary Vianney - known as 'the holy curate of Ars' - in the Borghesiana area, in Largo Monreale, on the eastern outskirts of the capital.
During the visit, Francis is reported to have met about 200 children. The visit was attended by about 200 people, according to ANSA. The Vatican has confirmed that the Pontiff is in Rome for a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI on Friday. The meeting is expected to take place at the Vatican City State House in Rome. The pope is also expected to travel to Rome on Friday for an official visit to a Roman Catholic church in the city's Piazza del Popolo. The trip is scheduled to last about an hour and a half and is not expected to be a long-term affair, the Vatican said in a statement.