A lightning strike at a church in Sicily, Italy, cut all the power during the final blessing at a wedding ceremony.

The footage was captured by the wedding photographer at the church earlier this month.

In the video, the priest is stood behind the alter and begins his final blessing.

The large congregation that has gathered are fanning themselves in the heat as they intently watch the bride and groom stood at the front.

Everyone gathered makes the sign of the cross as the priest's speech begins to reach its conclusion.

But suddenly a loud clap of thunder can be heard causing Sicily's historic Church of Saint Francis of Assisi to be plunged into darkness.

A lightning strike at a church in Sicily, Italy, cut all the power during the final blessing at a wedding ceremony

Only the two candles on the altar continue to flicker.

After a brief period of stunned silence, the congregation breaks out into spontaneous applause with even the priest joining in.

Stunned photographer Franco La Bua told Newsflare: 'The moment of the priest's amen was covered by lightning striking in front of the door of the church that made the walls tremble and leaving the church in the dark.

'A terrible moment of absolute silence was followed by applause.

'Personally, I managed to stay calm and continue. I think it is unique and unrepeatable. The thunder was the only one in the whole day.'

Suddenly a loud clap of thunder can be heard and the congregation was plunged into darkness