Pope Francis awarded Richard Gere, George Clooney, and Salma Hayek with the 'Scholas Occurrentes' award - the Vatican's own from its foundation that works to link technology and the arts for social integration and world peace. Francis had a similar organization before becoming Pope, when he was cardinal in Buenos Aires. He says back then, he never thought that he'd become Pope... much less handing out awards to celebrities.
(photo credit: The Jerusalem Post)