Pope Francis has met privately with Evangelical pastor and friend Rev. Giovanni Traettino in Caserta, southern Italy.
After the private visit this morning with the friend he’s known since early ministry in Buenos Aires, the Pope surprisingly met with the Community of the Pentecostal Church of Reconciliation — which is under construction — and gave a speech. The Vatican has said the text of the talk is being transcribed and will be published soon.
Also, in a further departure from his planned itinerary, the Pope plans this afternoon to visit sisters who run a school in a neighbouring town.
Although some reports said this has pushed back his departure time to around 5 p.m., Vatican press office vice-director, Fr. Ciro Benedettini said it will instead likely be sooner.