At a recent morning Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, dozens of worshipers were surprised by an unexpected visitor: Pope Francis. When Monsignor Lucio Bonora, the Vatican official assigned to celebrate the Mass, wondered if he should stop and allow Francis to take over, he was told to proceed as usual. After Bonora descended the altar to offer the sign of peace and then communion to the faithful, Francis stood in line with everyone else.

Later, recounting the special event for L’Osservatore Romano, Bonora reflected: ‘It’s the style and sensitivity of a man who was placed by the Lord at the service of the entire church, but who wants to walk with all the faithful with simplicity, modesty and the example of the saints.’

Since his election to the papacy in 2013, when he became the first Argentine and Jesuit to lead the Church, Jorge Bergoglio, who adopted the name of Francis, has been moving people