New Delhi: Pope Francis is the 266th Pope of the Catholic church. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17th of December 1936 to Italian parents in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he has always been known for his humility, his concern for the poor, and his commitment to dialogue as a way to build bridges between people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and faiths. Presently he is on a trip to Brazil. Here are some facts to know about Pope Francis:1. He is the first pope from Latin America. That also makes him the first pope born outside of Europe in more than 1,000 years.He chose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century monk known for his charity and kindness to animals.He is rumored to have been the runner-up in 2005, losing that papal election to Benedict XVI. He is known for leading a simple life, eschewing a mansion to live in a spartan apartment.In 2001, he washed the feet of 12 patients with AIDS at an Argentine hospice.He speaks fluent Italian, as well as Spanish and German.He has co-written a book, in Spanish, called Sobre el Cielo y la Tierra (On Heaven and Earth).He has lived for more than 50 years with one functioning lung. He had the other removed as a young man because of infection.After being elected Pope, he remained standing on the same level as the cardinal-electors rather than sitting on a throne.In his youth, he enjoyed dancing the tango with a girlfriend before discovering a “religious vocation.”
Updated on: July 27, 2013 6:12 IST
