1. He was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936.
2. He is the eldest of five siblings.
3. He is the first pope from the Americas, let alone Argentina.
4. It’s rumored that he was almost chosen over Pope Benedict XVI at the last conclave.
5. He is the first Jesuit pope, meaning he is more focused on intellectual learning than most popes have been, and is therefore expected to be more liberal. He is actually very conservative, though.
6. Upon becoming pope, Francis told Argentinians to give to the poor instead of spending money to travel to Rome.
7. Francis made it obvious that he does not care as much about ceremonious details as his predecessors by choosing not to sit on a throne after his election.
8. He has been outspoken against priests who refuse to baptize babies born to single mothers, claiming they are hypocrites for keeping “people of God from salvation.”
9. On the other hand, however, he calls same-sex marriage an institution that “seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God.” He is also against homosexuals adopting children.
10. Don’t worry; it gets more confusing. He says condoms are okay if they’re being used to protect oneself against disease – popes have historically never been on board with condoms.
11. As leader of Argentina’s Catholic Bishops, he was allowed some luxuries that he chose not to enjoy, living instead in a small apartment and using public transportation.
12. He only has one lung; the other was removed due to infection as a teen.
13. Pope Francis once washed the feet of 12 AIDS patients in a hospice.
14. He is trilingual, speaking Spanish, Italian, and German.
15. Leaders of the Islamic community in Buenos Aires consider him to be “pro-dialogue” and a friend.
16. He did not take the papal car back to his hotel after the election, but rather took the bus.
17. He chose his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment, who dedicated himself to living like Christ, including celebrating poverty.
18. More foot washing! After becoming pope, Francis I washed and kissed the feet of 12 juvenile offenders in Rome, letting them know he is at their service. These juveniles included women and Muslims, angering many traditionalists.
19. Pope Francis worked as a chemical technician before going into the seminary.
20. He is the first pope since Pope Pius X to choose not to live in the papal apartments. He stayed in the guest house until he was upgraded to a suite that could accommodate visitors. Just some more of that humble pie.
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