Pope Makes First Trip Outside Rome In Seven Months

ASSISI, Italy (AFP) – Pope Francis on Saturday made his first trip since the Vatican's coronavirus lockdown, though it was a solitary affair for the crowd loving Argentine due to pandemic precautions.

Francis visited the central Italian town of Assisi, the birthplace of his namesake saint, where he signed his new encyclical – a document laying out the pope's views on key issues – called Fratelli tutti on the importance of fraternity and social friendship, particularly during the pandemic.

In the austere tomb of the Saint Francis of Assisi, Francis held a somber mass for around 20 mask-wearing faithful.

The text of the encyclical will be published on Sunday, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, who lived from 11821226 and devoted himself to a life of poverty.

Francis earlier made a surprise visit to a convent of the Poor Clares – an order founded by Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare – and simply rang the doorbell.