Pope Francis breaks protocol on live TV

From Digital Spy

He may be one of the most powerful people in the world, but that doesn't mean Pope Francis is above getting a slap on the wrist.

His Holiness's tour of Chile, which has seen him address thousands, had some drama this week.

After celebrating Mass in Iquique on Thursday, Francis hopped in his popemobile and drove past the crowds.

Related: 17 times celebrities fell over on live TV: Gemma Collins, Madonna, The Pope and more

As he waved to his adoring fans, one unlucky police officer was thrown from her horse when it reared in the motorcade.

In an act of kindness, Francis leapt to the woman's aid as she lay injured in the road, breaking protocol.

The popemobile is there to protect the leader of the Catholic Church, with bulletproof glass fitted since an attempt on the life of Pope John Paul II in 1981, and Francis is meant to stay in it for safety.

The Pope reportedly remained with the officer until an ambulance arrived and she was carried off in a stretcher - where are those healing powers when you need them?

The Vatican reported that the woman was conscious "and received some words of consolation from the Holy Father".

Perhaps Pope Francis had extra sympathy because he suffered a high-profile fall himself back in 2016, tripping up in front of millions of people on live TV as he arrived for a Holy Mass.

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