Pope Francis in Assisi

Pope Francis blesses a child during his visit at the Serafico Institute in Assisi, Italy, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis visited Assisi for the first time to honor the saint whose name he adopted for the papacy, aimed at promoting peace and helping the poor, the Vatican said.

The pope will attend the feast of St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), praying at the tomb of a saint who is widely loved in Italy.

Pope Francis is cheered by faithful after leading a mass in front of the St. Francis Basilica in Assisi, Italy, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis shakes hands with Prime Minister Enrico Letta (R) at the St. Francis Basilica during his pastoral visit to Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis arrives to meet the clergy at the San Rufino cathedral as part of his pastoral visit in Assisi, Octo. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis is cheered by faithful after leading a mass in front of the St. Francis Basilica in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Franciscans wave as Pope Francis leaves Damiano Sancutary in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis carresses a child during his pastoral visit at to Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis leads a mass outside the St. Francis Basilica as part of his pastoral visit in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Faithfull gather outside the St. Francis Basilica before the Pope's mass, Oct. 4, 2013.

Faithful gather outside the St. Francis Basilica during a papal mass in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis leads a mass outside the St. Francis Basilica as part of his pastoral visit in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis leaves S Damiano Sanctuary in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis arrives at the Archbishop's residence for a meeting with the poor, assisted by Caritas as part of his pastoral visit in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Nuns watch as Pope Francis leaves the Archbishop's residence after a meeting with the poor, Oct. 4, 2013.

Argentinian pilgrims wait for Pope Francis in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis talks with a nun as he visits the San Damiano monastery in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Children wait for Pope Francis at the Caritas reception center in St. Mary of the Angels, near Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pilgrims wait for Pope Francis in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis greets the faithful crowding the square next to St. Francis basilica in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Members of the clergy attends a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis sits in the Archbishop's residence as he meets with the poor during his one day trip to Assisi, Oct. 4, 2013.

The Pope delivered his speech in the "Stanza della Spoliazione," the famous room where St. Francis stripped off his rich clothes and gave them back to his father - from then on living a life of poverty dedicated to Christ.