Circus troupe entertains Pope Francis at Vatican

Pope Francis receives a parrot from a performer of the Golden Circus during his Wednesday general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican December 28, 2016. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

It was a colorful turn of events at Pope Francis's weekly general audience on Wednesday (December 28) as the circus came to the Vatican.

Delighting the pope and the large crowds gathered in the Vatican audience hall, the circus troupe took to the stage towards the end of the weekly event and put on a fast-paced show featuring several performances.

The pope couldn't help but smile as a clown handed him a balloon flower and as he assisted to a magic trick in which a table was sent flying.

Pope Francis watches a Golden Circus artist perform during his Wednesday general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on December 28, 2016. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

At similar event in the past the pope held a lion cub and on Wednesday it was a parrot's turn to take to the pontiff's arms.

Pope Francis receives a parrot from a performer (2nd L) of the Golden Circus during his Wednesday general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican December 28, 2016. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

The Golden Circus' performance begins about one hour (1:00:45) into the video.

Circus performers often visit the Vatican and perform for popes.

Francis has praised circus performers in the past, saying that they create beauty "and this is good for the soul."

Earlier this year, the Vatican ferried about 1,000 homeless people, refugees and paroled prisoners to the circus on the outskirts of Rome, in a gesture of affection for the poor and needy which has been a hallmark of Pope Francis's papacy. — Reuters