Pope gives old friend a lift in popemobile

Pope Francis has broken with papal protocol once again, inviting a friend for a spin in his popemobile.

Lucky priest who got popemobile ride today was Fr. Baez of Buenos Aires, "a great confessor," according to #Francis pic.twitter.com/t3LJG2sZOf

— Catholic News Service (@CatholicNewsSvc) January 8, 2014

Fabian Baez, a priest from Francis’ hometown in Buenos Aires, did not have a VIP ticket for the pope’s weekly general audience. But as soon as Francis saw him in the crowd, the pope signaled for the Vatican guards to help him jump the barricade and approach.

Francis then invited him to hop aboard, and Father Baez accompanied Francis on his tour through St. Peter’s Square as the pope waved to well-wishers and kissed babies handed up to him.

He said he was shocked by Francis’ invitation: “I said to myself ’What am I doing here? Mamma mia!”’