An Italian man has been left deeply embarrassed after hanging up twice on the Supreme Pontiff.

Pope Francis likes to personally call those who write to him about their problems, which many recipients naturally find difficult to believe.

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On Monday, it took Franco Rabuffi three calls to realise his mistake.

“I was speechless but Francis came to my rescue, saying that what had happened was funny,” Mr Rabuffi told Vatican newspaper l’Osservatore Romano.

The man and his wife apologised to the pope in person during the Vatican’s general audience on Wednesday.

Mr Rabuffi had initially written to the Catholic Church leader seeking help because he was ill.
-with AAP.