The touching moment Pope Francis halted his weekly audience to kiss and hold disfigured man with 'Elephant Man' disease

Pontiff embraced and prayed with the man, who suffers from neurofibromatosis - a rare genetic condition that is not contagious



Condition long associated with the 'Elephant Man' Joseph Carey Merrick



People living with the painful illness are often shunned because of their appearance



Earlier in Wednesday's general audience, Pope Francis asked the faithful to pray for a sick girl

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) comforted Vinicio Riva, a 52-year-old Italian who had travelled to Rome for a audience in Saint Peter's Square in November

Touching moment: The pontiff kissed the worshiper, who suffers from a rare disease called neurofibromatosis, which is genetic and not contagious



Images of Pope Francis comforting the ailing worshiper were taken at the end of the general audience Wednesday, when a man covered in neuronal tumors approached the leader of the Catholic Church asking for a blessing.

Famous namesake: The pope has drawn comparisons to St Francis of Assisi - a revered 13th century holy figure, who according to legend kissed a leper

The man reportedly suffers from the rare and painful disease, which causes growths, impaired vision and in some cases cancer, according to the Catholic News Agency.

Patients suffering from the ailment, which is genetic and not contagious - are often shunned by society because of their appearance.

Pope Francis has been widely praised for his common touch and accessibility.



Since being elected to the Holy See earlier this year, the pontiff has made headlines around the world by washing the feet of juvenile delinquents, personally calling distraught worshipers on the phone and inviting homeless people to dine at St Peter's Square.

On Wednesday, the leader of the world’s 1.3billion Catholics was greeting pilgrims following his weekly public audience when he took a break to comfort the disfigured believer.

Pope Francis then kissed the man on the face and blessed him. He was photographed with his eyes tightly shut in prayer.



Show stealer: Last month, the pontiff allowed a young boy to remain on stage with him as he delivered a speech to 150,000 worshipers, occasionally patting the boy's head

Pontiff's penitence: Pope Francis washes the foot of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome March 28, 2013

Earlier in today’s audience, the pope asked the people assembled in the square to pray for a sick little girl he had just met.

Last week, the pontiff allowed a little boy to remain on stage with him and cling to his leg during a speech in front of a crowd of 150,000.

Earlier this year, Francis tweeted to his 3.2million followers: ’The Pope must serve all people, especially the poor, the weak, the vulnerable.’

On Tuesday, the pontiff fired off this message: ‘We need courage if we are to be faithful to the Gospel.’