9 hours ago
Moment Pope Leo is hit on the head with a flag thrown from worshipers who then charge towards him as he begs them to stay calm in the Vatican
This is the tense moment an object is thrown at Pope Leo XIV from a huge crowd that tries to charge him on World Drugs Day.
Swarms of worshippers were pressed against the railing, desperately trying to reach out to the Catholic leader.
One overly-enthusiastic faithful threw a red and yellow object - believed to be representing the football club AS Roma - and knocked the pontiff's skullcap.
It is believed that the newly appointed pope is a fan of AS Roma, which many felt was confirmed last month after he allegedly responded 'Forza Roma' to a Giallorossi supporter.
As he rearranges his skullcap, a huge swell from the crowd breaks the railings and they suddenly surge forward, trying to grab at Pope Leo's arms.
The pope's security team immediately rushed towards the barrier and tried to restore order as the first US leader of the global Catholic Church tries to step back for his safety.
He pleads with the crowd to calm down, gesturing with his hands to the group to step back.
Once the eager crowd are behind the barriers again, Pope Leo goes forward to shake hands with worshippers once more, even blessing a baby.
The pontiff spoke with the crowd yesterday about the ramifications of substance abuse at the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Established by the United Nations, the day was intended to raise awareness of the impacts of substance abuse in society and to work towards an end of drug addiction through campaigns, educational events and community schemes.
The gathering at San Damaso square was attended by Italian government officials, recovering drug addicts as well as people who help them.
Pope Leo called on governments to not criminalise the poor and instead those those who make businesses out of addiction.
He said: 'Our fight is against those who make their immense business out of drugs and every other addiction, think of alcohol or gambling.
'There are huge concentrations of interest and extensive criminal organizations that states have a duty to dismantle.'
'Too often, in the name of security, war is waged against the poor, filling prisons with those who are merely the final link in a chain of death.
'Those who hold the chain in their hands instead manage to gain influence and impunity.
Pope Leo pleads with the crowd to calm down, gesturing with his hands to the group to step back
The pontiff spoke with the crowd yesterday about the ramifications of substance abuse at the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
'Too often, in the name of security, war is waged against the poor, filling prisons with those who are merely the final link in a chain of death,' Pope Leo told crowds in San Damaso
'Our cities must not be freed of the marginalised, but of marginalisation. They must be cleared not of the desperate, but of desperation.'
Pope Leo was elected as the latest pontiff of the Catholic Church last month after only two days of conclave.
He had spent many years before as head of the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, Peru, where he had moved to as a missionary in 1985 and was known as Robert Prevost.
Seen as a man who has similar attitudes on reform to the late Pope Francis, many of Pope Leo's initial messages have been one of peace.
However it has been widely reported that along side his religious duties, he is an avid sports fan.
Father Joseph Farrell, the Vicar General of the Augustinians, has spoken about how Pope Leo play tennis frequently, while it has been said that the Chicago-native is fan of the White Sox baseball team in MLB.
'He's a regular tennis player. He would come up and play on our grounds once a week at least,' Father Farrell said.
'He is [AS] Roma all the way,' he added.
The club have also shared a statement on X saying: 'AS Roma joins in rejoicing with Rome and the world following the election of Pope Leo XIV, and wishes him all the very best for his papacy.'
