Pope Francis' Wild Ride - Pope takes happy kids for a spin through St. Peter's Square

Pope Francis gave to kids the ride of a lifetime by inviting them for a spin in the Popemobile around St. Peter's Square. The gesture continues to cement Pope Francis as a man of the people who is most comfortable with the throngs of faithful who seek his wisdom and blessing.

VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - On Wednesday, Pope Francis stepped out of his white, open-top car, which drives him around St. Peter's Square, and greeting a class of fifth-grade students he asked who wanted to take a ride with him through the square.

The Holy Father had plenty of volunteers and he chose Livio Bastianelli and Davide Maria, both 11, were chosen to accompany Pope Francis.

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They didn't travel very far, or for a particularly long time, just a spin around the square, but for the kids and those watching it was an incredible occasion. Bastianelli told an AP reporter, "I was really excited, that never happens."

Pope Francis continues to amaze onlookers and surprise the public with his personable nature. He thinks nothing of engaging with individual people within crowds, kissing lepers, blessing children and the infirm, and on his travels, visiting prisoners.

Pope Francis is emulating the work of Jesus Christ who called all people to behave in this fashion, treating children and the unfortunate as members of one's own kin.

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