Pope Francis proves his compassion for the sick as he poignantly and tenderly comforted a man with boils by kissing him on the head at the end of his General Audience, Nov. 6, St. Peter's Square, Vatican City.

The man's face was disfigured but the Pope caressed his head and closed his eyes tightly in prayer. The man suffered from a disease known as neurofibromatosis, causing severe pain and may result to impaired vision, paralysis, deafness, migraine, cancer and learning impairment or mental retardation. The condition entails a very complicated treatment process. People with such disease often face discrimination because of their appearance.

Pope Francis carried out his usual greeting of pilgrims, concluding the ceremony as he paused for a few minutes to receive the sick man in his arms. He then proceeded to give him a blessing. This gesture was the most recent of actions by the Holy Father that drew the world's attention because of his affection and warmth toward the marginalized.

He has made the headlines by responding to letters with personal telephone calls, visiting imprisoned youth, and inviting the homeless to eat at St. Peter's Square. He also asked the assembly earlier in his general address to pray for a sick young girl he just met. In October, the Pontiff allowed a young boy to stay on stage while he delivered a speech to 150,000 believers, patting the boy's head once in a while. He also washed the feet of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome on March 13 for his penitence.

As the Pope prayed over the man, many saw the echoes of Jesus's healing of the leper and the humble outreach of St. Francis of Assisi, the revered 13th century holy saint who kissed a leper he encountered in the road after receiving God's message. Pope Francis is named after him.

Pope Francis tweeted, "The Pope must serve all people, especially the poor, the weak, the vulnerable. The photos really speak for themselves with regard to his genuine concern for humanity." He fired off a message that we need courage if we are to be faithful to the Gospel."