A boy caught everyone's attention at Pope Francis's General Audience this week after he walked up to the stage at the beginning of the audience in the Vatican's large Paul VI Hall.

The security officials did not stop him and Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, the head of protocol, even gave the boy his chair next to the Pope.

Several times, the boy pointed at the Pope's zucchetto, which is the white skullcap he wears.

A replica of the Pontiff's headgear was given to the boy as an award for his persistence, as well as a round of applause from the amused audience.

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The boy, who has learning difficulties, was praised by the Pope, who told the crowd: "I thank this boy for the lesson he has given all of us. May the Lord help him in his limitation, as he grows, because what he did came from the heart."

Cover image: Reuters/Remo Casilli