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Associated Press

The cold-call pope has struck again, with Pope Francis surprising a dozen families with an afternoon visit to their homes to perform an annual springtime blessing.
Francis played the role of parish priest Friday as he rang apartment buzzers in Ostia, a beach community on Rome’s outskirts, and blessed homes of residents.

The ritual is a post-Easter tradition in Italy, with priests posting notices on buildings announcing the dates and times they’ll pass by.
The Vatican said the local Ostia priest did so, only Francis showed up instead.

Francis frequently surprises a few lucky souls with surprise visits and phone calls. He even rang Pope Benedict XVI the night he was elected, but no one picked up.
Benedict was watching TV broadcasts of the election and didn’t hear the phone ring.


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Pope Francis

Pope Francis surprises families by dropping in for a visit and giving them a springtime blessing

epa05974978 A handout picture provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano shows Pope Francis during his visit to Ostia, Rome's neighbourhood, where he met and blessed the homes of some inhabitants, Italy, 19 May 2017. +++ ANSA PROVIDES ACCESS TO THIS HANDOUT PHOTO TO BE USED SOLELY TO ILLUSTRATE NEWS REPORTING OR COMMENTARY ON THE FACTS OR EVENTS DEPICTED IN THIS IMAGE; NO ARCHIVING; NO LICENSING +++ EPA/OSSERVATORE ROMANO/HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Pope Francis blesses a house during his visit to Ostia, in the outskirts of Rome, Italy May 19, 2017. Osservatore Romano/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE.

Pope Francis shows up in a home during his visit to Ostia, Rome's neighbourhood, where he met and blessed the homes of some inhabitants. Photo: EPA/Osservatore Romano

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