Pope Francis stopped by to visit with 150 of Rome’s homeless in the Sistine Chapel after they were invited for dinner and a private tour by the Vatican.

“Welcome. This is everyone's house and your house. The doors are always open for all,” the Pope told his homeless guests during their March 26 visit to the Vatican Museums. He said that their visit was like a tender caress from God.

The group was invited by the papal almoner, Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, who oversees the office of papal charities.

In the course of the visit, the homeless guests received a tour of the Vatican City, passing by the guesthouse where the Pope lives, as well as several galleries in the Vatican Museums, culminating with the Sistine Chapel.

Although cameras and photographers were prohibited, the Vatican’s press office said that the Pope was with the group for at least 20 minutes and greeted each person individually with a handshake.

Francis thanked Archbishop Krajewski for putting the initiative together. He told the group, “Pray for me. I'm in need of prayers by people like you,” he and asked that the Lord would “protect and help you in the path of life and make you feel his tender love.”

After their meeting with the Pope, the homeless were invited to dinner in the restaurant of the Vatican Museums.

The initiative is the latest in a string of charitable initiatives enacted by Archbishop Krajewski on behalf of Pope Francis since his election two years ago.