I felt as though my heart was leaving my body': Terribly disfigured man who was held by the Pope relives the moment that moved the world

The disfigured man whose full-body tumours were lovingly kissed by the Pope has told the moving story of his life for the first time.

Vinicio Riva, from Vicenza in northern Italy, is covered from head-to-toe by the growths, a symptom of his genetic disease neurofibromatosis.

Earlier this month the 53-year-old's picture shot round the world, when he was warmly embraced by Pope Francis at one of the pontiff's weekly audiences.

Vinicio Riva, 53, suffers from the genetic disease neorofibramatosis

The condition has left him covered from head-to-toe by growths

Earlier this month Pope Francis embraced him in St Peter's Square

Images of the touching encounter shot around the world

House that Scientology built: Tom Cruise and John Travolta are in the front row to see opening of $145m cathedral where members will be trained to develop 'super powers'

Actors Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kelly Preston were in attendance yesterday as thousands of Scientologists gathered in Clearwater, Florida for the dedication of their new $145million 'cathedral'.

The 377,000-square-foot Flag Building is the tallest building in downtown Clearwater, and has been in construction for nearly 15 years. The opening of the building will mark the first time Scientologists have a place to practice the 'Super Power' program, developed by the religion's founder L Ron Hubbard in the 1970s. 

While the city was told to expect 10,000 Scientologists this weekend, the crowd gathered outside the Flag Building yesterday was noticeably smaller. The Tampa Bay Times estimated that numbers could have been less than 6,000.

Lamar Odom Back In School

Lamar Odom has escaped to his Alma Mater – the University of Rhode Island – for the week ... and is hitting the courts at his old gym ... presumably training for his alleged return to the NBA.

Lamar told our camera guy over weekend he's been in talks with the LA Clippers ... after his career was derailed this summer by a serious crack problem.  

The assistant coach at URI – Preston Murphy – was a former teammate of Lamar’s when they played college ball together back in ’98 … and it looks like Murphy is letting Lamar use the facilities to train while the team is away for the week.

Lamar has been mugging with students on campus.

Remember kids ... don't do drugs.

George Zimmerman arrested on domestic violence charges in Florida

George Zimmerman's girlfriend went NUCLEAR after he allegedly pointed his shotgun at her face and broke a bunch of her stuff ... and we got her dramatic 911 call -- but the craziest part ... Zimmerman says she's pregnant.

Zimmerman was arrested in Orlando, FL earlier today after allegedly pointing his DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN at his girlfriend ... and shoving her out of the house, this according to the Seminole County Sheriff.

The GF called 911 in the middle of their argument -- shouting at dispatch while yelling at Zimmerman. Once police arrived, Zimmerman placed his own call to 911.

Gunmen Demand For New Born Babies At Ekiti Hospital

Five gunmen, suspected to be ritualists on Sunday invaded the government hospital in Ado-Ekiti, demanding for new born babies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gunmen who were said to be numbering about five, arrived at the hospital at about 1:00 a.m. demanding for a day old babies, and beating up staff who could not give satisfactory answer.

A senior health officer, who pleaded anonymity, said that the armed men invaded the hospital located along Irona area at about 1:00 a.m. and suddenly began molesting medical officials on night duty.

According to the officer, the invaders, who were fully armed, are rhetorically demanding for the whereabouts of a particular baby, said to have been delivered earlier in the day.

“They got more annoyed when they were told that no baby was available in the hospital as at the time they came, it angered then the more and they went berserk,’’ the officer said.

This development, NAN learnt angered the men who beat up the hospital staff and injured some of them.

Billionaire businessman Jimoh Ibrahim arrested over N6b tax fraud

According to a report by Sahara Reporters, the Special Enforcement Unit of Federal Inland Revenue Service has arrested billionaire businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim, over a tax fraud that runs into N6.8b.

Sources within the unit told Saharareporters that Mr. Ibrahim was picked up today and is currently under detention at the offices of the agency.

According to one source, “We are investigating a case where Chief Ibrahim, defrauded the federal government to the tune of N6.8 billion. He is in our custody, we take intend to take a statement from the suspect under caution”, he added.

One of our sources said Mr. Mr. Ibrahim have been evading agents of the unit for some time but disclosed that they eventually caught up with him in his hotel room in NICON Luxury Hotel where he was arrested this afternoon in Abuja

Peter Okoye shares beautiful pic of his new bride

Yeah, she is stunning!

Ijaw National Congress President, Sen. Tari Sekibo slumps and dies

The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), and former Senator of the Federal Republic, Tari Sekibo, has died. Mr Sekibo slumped today in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and was pronounced dead at the Federal Medical Center where he was rushed to. May his soul rest in peace...Amen.

Singer Iyanya fires back at rude fan on twitter

Photos: Mercy Johnson gets dragged through the mud in new movie

Mercy Johnson Okojie shared photos of her being dragged through the mud by a tow truck on her Twitter page. Photos taken on the set of a new movie. Is this a little too much? Considering that's actual dirt! See another pic after the cut...

Conrad Murray First Stop BURGER RUN

Conrad Murray is a shadow of his former self, looking noticeably older and gray, as he chowed down on his first post-pokey meal -- IN-N-OUT!

Murray looked business casual after wearing standard issue orange for 2 years.  He was able to evade cameras as he left jail at 12:01 AM, thanks to the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept.

According to his receipt, the whole meal cost him $8.94, including two Double-Doubles, something he probably dreamed about for months.

Kanye West Screw Louis Vuitton

The Louis Vuitton Don is no more ... Kanye West is now trashing the upscale brand for screwing their customers ... and claims he won't design for L.V. again.

Mr. West was on Big Boy's Neighborhood this morning on Power 106 in Los Angeles -- and put Louis on BLAST.

As you may recall ... Ye coined his nickname "Louis Vuitton Don" on his debut album "College Dropout."  He also designed a sneaker collection for the luxury brand in '09.

But now Kanye says he'd turn the designer down, if asked again ... mostly because of the outrageous amount they charge for their products.

Check out the video to hear his full explanation.

FYI -- Kanye's Louis sneakers had a price tag north of $800 ... and he once sat front row with L.V.'s CEO during Paris Fashion Week to promote the shoes.