Pope Francis is the current serving Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He was elected the 266th pope in 2013 and took over after Benedict XVI. For a man who is always under the eyes of the media and public, the Pope is famously known for advocating for love and faith. However, there are a couple of interesting things that the world does not know about Pope Francis, and we have listed them here.
1. He is the First Non-European Pope
Most popes come from Europe, with around 200 coming from Italy alone. Pope Francis made history by being the first pope who hailed from the Americas, specifically Buenos Aires in Argentina. He is also the first pope from the Jesuit faction.
2. Pope Francis Studied Chemistry
Before joining the seminary, Pope Francis studied chemistry and worked as a chemist. However, he did not graduate from the University. The only certificate that Pope Francis got was a “titulo” from the Escuela Tecnica Industrial Number 12, also known as a post-graduate diploma in the Argentine system.
3. Pope Francis Would Have Succeeded John Paul II in 2005
When Pope John Paul II died in 2005, an election was held to find the new Pope. Even though Benedict XVI won, Pope Francis was in second place after the votes were tallied. Therefore, he had a good chance of rising to the status of Pope in 2005.
4. Pope Francis Lives in a Two-Room Apartment
Popes have resided in a palatial penthouse with several rooms, staff quarters, and a remarkable city view for a century. However, when Pope Francis was elected, he shunned the palatial papal quarters and opted for a two-room apartment in the Domus Santa Maria. It’s a communal building that the pope shares with other priests. Pope Francis also cooks his own meals sometimes.
5. Pope Francis Has a Rock Album
On November 27, 2015, Pope Francis released a rock album titled “Wake Up!” This album comprises various tracks about his words and prayers, which he hymns to upbeat tunes.
6. Pope Francis Doesn’t Like the Bulletproof Popemobile
When visiting various countries, the Pope has always insisted on using “regular” cars. For years, Popes have been transported in bulletproof vehicles for their safety. Talking to a Spanish magazine, Pope Francis claimed he is not afraid of what may happen because he has nothing to lose. The Popemobile was introduced in 1981 after an assassination attempt.
7. He Only Has One Lung
When Pope Francis was in his early 20s, he got a severe lung infection that saw the removal of one. The surgery was successful; however, it left him a lung short.
8. The TIME Magazine Named Pope Francis Man of the Year in 2013
Because of his influence on the world, TIME magazine chose Pope Francis as Man of the Year in 2013. One of the other reasons why he was chosen is his diverse background. Unlike other popes, Francis was a chemist, literature teacher, janitor, and club bouncer. He is also accepting of people of all sexual orientations. The Pope also knows how to use 21st-century culture to persuade the younger community to join the church.
9. Pope Francis Refused to Wear the Iconic Red Shoes
Like the story about the Pope’s living quarters, red shoes have been part of the papal fashion. They date back to the early 1800s. Pope Benedict XVI wore them, and Francis was expected to do the same. However, in his first 24 hours, Francis wore black shoes. The media perceived this as the Pope’s way of sending a message of humility.
10. Pope Francis is a Supporter of Women’s Empowerment
Despite being heavily criticized by the media, the Pope has done a lot to guarantee women’s empowerment. He is the only Pope to appoint a woman to the highest Vatican position ever held by a female. So far, more than 1,000 women in the Vatican hold senior positions. This is a significant improvement compared to only a few hundred that were part of management two decades ago.
11. Pope Francis Last Watched TV in 1990
In an interview with an Argentinian magazine, Pope Francis mentioned that he had not watched TV since 1990. He didn’t give any reasons why he stopped watching TV. Francis said TV wasn’t for him and promised the Virgin Mary he would never do it.
This promise has prevented him from watching his favorite soccer team, San Lorenzo, matches. In the same interview, he also talked about how much he misses going for a walk and having a pizza.
12. Pope Francis Once Married a Couple Mid-Air
While flying in Chile, Pope Francis made history by marrying two flight attendants, Carlos Elorriga and Paula Ruiz. The two had a civil wedding earlier but wanted the Pope to officiate their marriage. Pope Francis accepted and married them while they were airborne.