Vatican City: Pope Francis blessed the children participating in a summer camp offered by the Vatican, with a personal visit.

At the conclusion of the General Audience, Pope offered special greetings to children participating in this year's summer kids camp, after meeting earlier with animators and staff of the summer camp.

"I greet the children of the Summer Youth Camp in the Vatican. They have been quiet until now but you can hear them now. They are accompanied by their parents and the camp animators, whom I thank for their precious work. I wish to thank Fr. Franco, the 'spiritual soul' of the Vatican, who as a good Salesian was able to plant this seed in setting up this summer camp now in its third year."

Those words of Pope Francis at the end of the Wednesday General Audience in the Paul VI Hall meant "a great deal" to Fr. Franco Fontana.

He is the chaplain and coordinator of the summer initiative which for three years now has welcomed youth of various ages, children of Vatican employees, for summertime activities.

The summer camp also includes moments of prayer and reflection. It takes place in Vatican City in designated areas equipped for recreational and sports activities.

In the midst of the children's talking and playing, Fr. Franco shared with Vatican News his joy upon receiving the Pope's greetings, as well as his "worry" during the General Audience. "I wanted the children to keep quiet throughout the Audience catechesis, as they had been instructed to do so before."

The Salesian religious told of "an even more beautiful moment" that took place before the Audience.

"The Pope received the animators in a small room and addressed a special greeting to them, thanking them and above all encouraging them on how this passion for education must animate them throughout their lives."

The first year the summer camp had 150 young people and this year it has increased to 230 participants for five weeks.