Pope Francis made a surprise visit on Tuesday to locations in central Italy that were damaged by a devastating earthquake that left nearly 300 people dead in August.
The pope spent time in the town of Amatrice, Italy, visiting sites and people affected by the earthquake. The pope also visited the Italian towns of Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto which were hit by the quake. You can see images of the pope's visit in the gallery above.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Pope Francis is flanked by Head of Vatican Security Domenico Giani and Rieti Bishop Domenico Pompili, as he walks in the quake-struck village of Accumoli, Italy, on Oct 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis meets patients in an old people's home in Borbona, near Rieti, central Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis with villagers and school children in Arquata del Tronto, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis blesses people in the village of Arquata del Tronto, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis meets school children in the village of Arquata del Tronto, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis looks at the damaged church of Santa Maria della Misericordia in the quake-struck village of Accumoli, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis meets patients in an old people's home in Borbona, near Rieti, central Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis meets patients in an old people's home in Borbona, near Rieti, central Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis is given a gift during his visit to the school of the quake-struck town of Amatrice, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis arrives in the quake-struck town of Amatrice, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis shakes hands with a firefighters in front of the destroyed St. Augustine Church, in the quake-struck town of Amatrice, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis stands in front of rubble, with the standing bell tower in the background, of the quake-struck town of Amatrice, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis talks with a firefighters in front of the destroyed St. Augustine Church, in the quake-struck town of Amatrice, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis talks with a firefighter in front of rubble, with the standing bell tower in the background, of the quake-struck town of Amatrice, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis prays in front of rubble, with the standing bell tower in the background, of the quake-struck town of Amatrice, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis poses for a group photo with firefighters in front of rubble, with the standing bell tower in the background, of the quake-struck town of Amatrice, Italy, Oct.4, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)