Public Radio East serves Eastern North Carolina by providing news, fine arts, and informational programming that challenges, stimulates, educates, and entertains an intellectually curious audience.

© 2026 Public Radio East

Public Radio East
800 College Court
New Bern, NC 28562

EIN 56-1802728
Public Radio For Eastern North Carolina 89.3 WTEB New Bern 88.5 WZNB New Bern 91.5 WBJD Atlantic Beach 90.3 WKNS Kinston 89.9 W210CF Greenville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

WATCH: Boy Upstages Pope's Speech

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper <em>L'Osservatore Romano</em>, Pope Francis reads his message as a young boy plays in front of him on the stage.
AP
In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis reads his message as a young boy plays in front of him on the stage.

Protocol is a concept that's often lost on young children, and this boy — one of a group of children invited to sit near the pontiff during a speech — didn't see any reason why he shouldn't hang out for a bit with the guy in white.

Dressed in jeans, sneakers and a polo shirt, the unidentified youngster crawled up onstage and stood next to Pope Francis during a service at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican over the weekend.

The Telegraph says the boy "refused to leave the Pope's side, clinging to his legs while two Cardinals tried to encourage him to sit back down with sweets."

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Scott Neuman is a correspondent for NPR's General Assignment Desk.