Pontiff pays surprise visit to survivors of Italy earthquake

In August, 2016, Amatrice, a town in central Italy, was destroyed by a terrible earthquake.

This natural disaster took the lives of 297 people, including children, while leaving collapsed buildings in its wake.

ALSO READ: Pope Francis prays for victims and survivors of Italy earthquake

BBC reports that Pope Francis has just paid a surprise visit to the town.

There, he met children in a newly-built Capranica school, prayed over the ruined Catholic churches, and talked to relatives of the victims.

He also hugged each of the survivors and relatives.

Speaking with the survivors, he said:" I thought long and hard in the first days of these many pains that my visit, perhaps, would be more of a hindrance than a help, a greeting.

I didn't want to be a bother so I let a little time pass, so that some things could be resolved, like the school. But from the first moment, I felt that I needed to come to you, simply to express my closeness to you, nothing more. And I pray, pray for you.

Solidarity and prayer: this is my offering to you. May the Lord bless you all; may Our Lady watch over you in this moment of sadness, pain, and trial.

Let's move forward; there is always a future. There are many loved ones who have left us, who fell here under the rubble. Let us pray to Our Lady for them; let us do it together. Always look ahead. Courage, and help each other. One walks better together, alone we go nowhere. Forward! Thank you."

Although, the pope's visit was unannounced, because he wanted "to be close to the people", the trip was documented on social media.

"I wish to bring the consolation of the Lord Jesus, with the maternal love and embrace of the entire Church, to all those affected by the earthquake in central Italy", he wrote on Instagram.

Greg Burke also shared pictures of the visit on Twitter.