SW News: Ahead of World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis will be visiting the Italian town of Assisi on Friday, November 12. In the hometown of St Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscans, the Pontiff will take part in a meeting with 500 poor people from all over Europe. He will also listen to them as well as pray with them.

The 500 poor people and the civic and ecclesiastical officials will be present to welcome the Holy Father at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The poor people will also present the pope with a pilgrim's cloak and staff, which symbolizes pilgrims coming together to listen to the successor of Saint Peter.

Inside the Basilica, the Holy Father will listen to the testimonies of two French, one Polish, one Spanish and two Italian invitees and it will be followed by the pontiff’s response to each one of them. The event will conclude with a prayer by Pope Francis followed by the distribution of gifts to the poor.

After blessing them, the Holy Father will return to the Vatican by helicopter. The day concludes with the Bishop of Assisi, Domenico Sorrentino, providing lunch for the poor.