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Pope rescued by firefighters after being stuck in an elevator for 25 minutes

Pope Francis arrived 7 minutes late to mass after being stuck in an elevator.

September 1, 2019, 7:41 AM

Pope Francis arrived 7 minutes late for his traditional noon appointment with the public in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Sunday because he was stuck in an elevator for 25 minutes, according to the Associated Press.

The Pope apologized to the crowd on Sunday after he had to be rescued by firefighters.

“I have to beg your pardon”, he said while smiling.

PHOTO: Pope Francis speaks from the window of the apostolic palace overlooking St. Peter's square during the weekly Angelus prayer on Sept. 1, 2019 at the Vatican. He had been stuck in an elevator for about 25 minutes.
Pope Francis speaks from the window of the apostolic palace overlooking St. Peter's square during the weekly Angelus prayer on Sept. 1, 2019 at the Vatican. He had been stuck in an elevator for about 25 minutes.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images

Pope Francis said that a “drop in tension” caused the elevator to block, apparently referring to electrical power.

Pope Francis seemed to take the whole event in stride.

“A round of applause for the fire brigade”, he said, according to AP, as he asked the public attending his service in the square to applaud the Holy See firefighters who rescued him from peril.

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