Roman Catholics use the rosary to count prayers.
And at each Mass conducted by the Pope pilgrims hope he will bless their beads.
Pope
Francis, 76, the first South American pontiff, had just finished a
service as part of the Marian Day celebrations when he was given an
ear-bashing from the well-meaning disciple.
Amazingly
the treasured beads managed to hook themselves perfectly around the
stunned Pope’s right ear in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Unhurt, he clasped the precious rosary in his hands, gently blessing it, before throwing it back into the adoring crowd.