Pope Francis asks to have 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.

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

Before the lunch, Pope Francis called on members of organised crime to turn away from the violence to 'stop the tears of the mothers of Naples' in one of the city's most violent areas.

He urged the locals not to let criminals rob them of their hope and also said members of organised crime excommunicate themselves from the Church - but it would welcome them back if they repent.