Photos:Touching moment Pope Francis halted his weekly general audience to kiss and hold a disfigured man

Pope Francis concluded Wednesday's general audience in St Peter's Square in Rome by kissing a man covered in growths and joining him in prayer.Photos of the pontiff embracing the severely disfigured man have gone viral online, with commenters praising the pope for his compassion and kindness.In Italian press, the pope has drawn comparisons to his illustrious namesake, St Francis of Assisi - a revered 13th century holy figure, who according to legend kissed a leper he had encountered on a road after receiving a message from God. More pics after cut

Images of Pope Francis comforting the ailing man were taken at the end of the general audience Wednesday, when a man covered in neuronal tumors approached the leader of the Catholic Church asking for a blessing. 

The man reportedly suffers from a rare and painful disease called neurofibromatosis, which causes growths, impaired vision and in some cases cancer

Patients suffering from the ailment, which is genetic and not contagious - are often shunned by society because of their appearance.Pope Francis has been widely praised for his common touch and accessibility.