(ANSA) - Vatican City, December 18 - A surprise visit by a dove and a traditional drink from Pope Francis's Argentine homeland added cheer to the pontiff's last general audience of 2013. As the pope was touring St Peter's Square before the audience a dove released by some of the faithful perched on his jeep. Francis stopped and smiled at the bird for a few moments, pointing it out to the crowd, before continuing his tour. The pope also stopped during the tour of the square after being offered a cup containing mate - a traditional caffeine-rich South American beverage drunk through a straw - by Argentine pilgrims. Wednesday's was the last general audience of the year ahead of a busy schedule of events and services for the pope over the Christmas period.
Dove, drink add cheer to pope's general audience
Francis drinks mate, bird pays surprise visit to papal jeep
![(foto: ANSA)](/webimages/img_457x/2013/11/24/090a49080c87d4bf68503eb9db645b61.jpg)