Pope Francis arrived on Tuesday in Amatrice in central Italy, in a surprise visit to the town that bore the brunt of the August 24 earthquake that killed nearly 300 people, the Vatican said.

On Sunday, the pontiff had confirmed his intention to visit the quake-hit area, though he did not specify when he aimed to go. He said he wanted to make his visit "privately, alone, as a priest, a bishop, a pope. But alone," in order to be "near the people."