Faithfull gather outside the St Francis Basilica before a mass of the Pope as part of his pastoral visit in Assisi on October 4, 2013. Pope Francis visits Assisi for the first time today to honour the saint whose name he adopted for a papacy aimed at promoting peace and helping the poor, the Vatican said. The pope will attend the feast of St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) on that day, praying at the tomb of a saint who is widely loved in Italy. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE