Vatican City, Sep 1, 2019 / 06:34 am (CNA).- Pope Francis begged the pardon of the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square Sunday, explaining that he was late because he had gotten stuck in a Vatican elevator and had to wait for help from the fire department.

“First of all, I have to apologize for the delay, but there was an accident: I was locked in the elevator for 25 minutes!” the pope said Sept. 1, after arriving seven minutes late for the noon Angelus and reflection.