The Holy Father hugged the unnamed man, who is thought to suffer from neurofibromatosis, and held a silent prayer, having earlier asked those assembled in St Peter’s Square to pray for a sick little girl.

The pictures have been compared to Jesus healing the leper, as well as the work of St Francis of Assisi, after whom the current Pope took his name.

Neurofibromatosis is a painful hereditary condition that can involve distinctive facial tumours.

Treatment is complicated and sufferers, who can be in constant pain, face discrimination because of their appearance.