Boy Pulls Off Pope’s White skullcap During Birthday Celebration (PHOTO)

Vatican City, Italy – Pope Francis, the Argentine pontiff, was recently visiting a children’s charity in the city to attend a special early birthday celebration for him ahead of his 77th birthday. The pontiff has been fostering a growing reputation for being warm and open with children.

During the birthday celebration, the Holy Father embraced a young boy who took the zucchetto off his head and played with his hair. The zucchetto is the white hat worn by the pope.

The actions of the boy werre a major breach of protocol, but not one which seemed to bother the head of the Catholic church. Pope Francis’ “suffer the children” approach is certainly Christ-like. In fact, he seemed amused by the young child’s gentle inquisitiveness.

Pope Francis was recently given the honor as Time Magazine’s “Man of the Year”, but it is not certain the distinction means anything to him. He is far more concerned with promoting a climate of charity one towards another.

Nancy Gibbs, the magazine’s editor, said: ‘So much of what he has done in the brief nine months in this office changed the tone of what’s coming out of the Vatican.’

Pope Francis is also overseeing a period of reform in the Catholic Church. He is asking members to be vocal and bold in suggesting ways for the Church to improve its outreach efforts to bring believers back to the fold. As per the Catholic tradition of a line of succession extending back to the Apostle Peter, he is the 266th pope.

On The Web:
Pope Francis Turns 77 on Tuesday, Young Boy Snatches Skullcap, Toys with Pontiff’s Hair
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/530373/20131216/pope-francis-birthday-child.htm#.Uq7mDivaLrk

Boy pope skullcap
http://www.kansascity.com/2013/12/15/4695424/star-shots-best-photos-from-dec.html

You’ve got to take your hat off to this Pope: The moment young child removes pontiff’s skullcap (but doesn’t get to keep it for long)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2523932/Popes-skullcap-gets-taken-young-child.html