Pope Francis hit in face by object thrown from crowd before mass in Chile

Pope Francis was struck by what appears to have been an item of clothing or a towel as he greeted crowds from the popemobile on his way to an open-air Mass in Chile’s capital, Santiago.

The 81-year old was hit on the left side of his face, the Monday’s footage from Santiago’s O’Higgins Park shows. The pontiff appeared to be unharmed, however, and maintained a smile as he waved to worshipers as though nothing had happened.