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with the youths and listened to their confessions for over an hour near famed Colonnade of Bernini


The Catholic act of penance is normally conducted in the privacy of a confessional box.

But 16 teenagers carried out the traditional rite in front of thousands of young Catholic faithfuls as they confessed their sins to Pope Francis on chairs in the middle of St Peter's Square.

The youths were given the unexpected opportunity as the Pontiff made a surprise appearance for a special Holy Year youth day at the Vatican in Italy late on Saturday morning.

16 teenagers confessed their sins to Pope Francis on chairs in the middle of St Peter's Square on Saturday morning at the Vatican

The youths were given the unexpected opportunity as the Pontiff made a surprise appearance for a special Holy Year youth day in Italy

The teenagers seemed at ease, with Francis shaking hands warmly with the youths. In all, the pope spent over an hour in the picturesque square

Francis and each of the 16 teenagers sat face-to-face in simple chairs set up in pairs for him and many others hearing confessions near the famed Colonnade of Bernini.

The teenagers seemed at ease, with Francis shaking hands warmly with the youths. In all, the pope spent over an hour in the square.

They were supported by thousands of Catholics faithful, ranging in age from 13 to 16, who turned out for the youth event.

Francis and each of the 16 teenagers sat face-to-face in simple chairs set up in pairs for him and many others hearing confessions near the famed Colonnade of Bernini

One young girl sat with the Pope as he confessed her at the three-day event - which is expected to attract up to 70,000 teenagers from Italy and all over the world

The Pope appeared in high spirits as he posed for pictures from the thousands of young Catholic faithfuls who turned up to glimpse the Pontiff

The Pope has dedicated the Holy Year to two major themes of his papacy - mercy and reconciliation.

More than 150 priests were in the square to hear confessions between 11.30am and 12.45pm, according to the Vatican Radio.

The event, for the Jubilee for Teens, got underway on Saturday as part of the celebrations for the Extraordinary Year of Mercy.

The three-day event's theme is 'Growing merciful as the Father', and will attract up to 70,000 teenagers from Italy and all over the world.

The event, for the Jubilee for Teens, is part of the celebrations for the Extraordinary Year of Mercy. The three-day event's theme is 'Growing merciful as the Father'

One young girl appeared engrossed in conversation as she listened intently to the Pope as he offered his words of penance

Pope Francis waved as he arrived in St Peter's Square to hear confessions of young faithfuls during the Jubilee for Teens

The celebrations kicked off on Friday with a pilgrimage to the Holy Door before the confessions.

Later in the day on Saturday the teens will travel to Rome's Olympic Stadium where there will be a video message from the pope.

Meanwhile, on Sunday morning the youngsters will be back in St Peter's Square for a Mass presided over by Pope Francis.

More than 150 priests were in the square to hear the youngsters' confessions between 11.30am and 12.45pm on the day