Pope gets stuck in a lift for 25 minutes

"I have to beg your pardon for being late but I had an unexpected event," the smiling pontiff said as he started the address about 10 minutes late.

Pope Francis attributed the delay to an electrical problem at the Vatican, and called on the crowd to applaud the firefighters who had freed him.

He went on to prayer for the protection of the earth, on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.