Holy men who met their unholy ends
Just days before his death, Pope Francis made a final, unexpected visit to Regina Coeli, one of Italy’s most overcrowded prisons, where he met with 70 inmates ahead of Easter. According to the Vatican, the late pontiff spent around half an hour at the Roman facility, offering well-wishes.
In a revelation following Francis’s passing on April 21, the bishop who accompanied him disclosed that the pope donated €200,000 (about US$213,000) from his personal account to the prisoners. The donation marked one of his final public acts and added to the late pope’s legacy of outreach to vulnerable communities.
Pope Francis was known for his humanitarian work and his bold opinions. Sometimes he caused controversy with his relatively liberal points of view.
But what was the pontiff really like, and how was his life before he became head of the Catholic church?
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He chose the name Francis as a tribute to Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy. He was the 266th leader of the Catholic Church.
He was a huge fan of the Argentinian soccer club San Lorenzo, and his membership card is the proof!
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was raised in the neighborhood of Flores, home to the San Lorenzo team. His father played basketball for San Lorenzo.
He liked to cook his own food, as his mother taught him when he was a child.
The pontiff used to travel with just a small overnight bag and he carried it himself. He once said he usually carried a knife, a notebook, and a book about Mother Theresa.
He was a wine-lover and he loved mate, a herbal infusion that is very popular in South America.
He was a fan of the Argentinian tango singer Carlos Gardel.
Pope Francis was an avid reader and a lover of poetry. He revealed that he was a fan of Russian writer Fiodór Dostoiévski and Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges.
Pope Francis loved animals, especially birds, and even had some bird pets of his own. His sister has said that when he was younger he taught his parrot how to swear!
He was known for leading a simple lifestyle. He lived in a 70 sq m apartment in the Vatican and he didn't appreciate when his cardinals opted for unnecessary luxuries.
The pontiff had been living with one lung since he was 21. The other was removed because of an infection.
Mario Bergoglio spoke Spanish, Italian, and German.
He looked playful in this top hat in June 2016!
Pope Francis had his face on stamps after 2013 World Youth Day in Brazil!
Pope Francis donated over US$200,000 to inmates before passing
The money came from his personal account
LIFESTYLE Pope francis
Just days before his death, Pope Francis made a final, unexpected visit to Regina Coeli, one of Italy’s most overcrowded prisons, where he met with 70 inmates ahead of Easter. According to the Vatican, the late pontiff spent around half an hour at the Roman facility, offering well-wishes.
In a revelation following Francis’s passing on April 21, the bishop who accompanied him disclosed that the pope donated €200,000 (about US$213,000) from his personal account to the prisoners. The donation marked one of his final public acts and added to the late pope’s legacy of outreach to vulnerable communities.
Pope Francis was known for his humanitarian work and his bold opinions. Sometimes he caused controversy with his relatively liberal points of view.
But what was the pontiff really like, and how was his life before he became head of the Catholic church?