Pope Francis has lunch with gay, transgender and HIV-positive prisoners during impromptu trip to Naples jail

Pope Francis has had lunch with at least 10 gay, transgender and HIV-suffering inmates at a prison in Naples today, it has been reported.

They were among 90 prisoners invited to dine with the pontiff on his day-long trip to southern-Italy.

The stop-off at the Giuseppe Salvia Detention Centre in Poggioreale was not originally on his schedule, according to Italian TV station TV 2000.

But the Pope reportedly insisted on the meal which was prepared by the prisoners themselves.

Breaking bread: Pope Francis (pictured) has had lunch with at least 10 gay, transgender and HIV-suffering inmates at a prison in Naples during his visit to the city

Holy visit: The prison visit was not originally on his schedule but the pontiff insisted on the meal which was prepared by the inmates

Adoration: Thousands of people turned out to cheer the Pope on his day-long visit to Naples where he will hold a number of events before returning to the Vatican tonight

Lucky few: The 90 prisoners who dined with the Pope were selected by lottery from about 1,900 others at the Giuseppe Salvia Detention Centre (pictured)

The inmates who dined with the pope were chosen by lottery from around 1,900, the Vatican Insider website has reported.

And it was a very simple and 'frugal' because the Pope wants to take the time to get to know every prisoner personally, the head of a prison ministry told Vatican Radio.

The prison visit formed part of a very busy day for Pope Francis in the Italian city that lies 150 miles south of Rome.

Francis began praying at a sanctuary in Pompeii, before holding a string of events which include an outdoor mass and meetings with young people and the sick before heading back to the Vatican this evening.

Source: dailymail.co.uk