1. He has a way with birds
Pope Francis expertly handled a white dove and a green parrot during different general audiences in St. Peter’s Square. His sister, Maria Elena Bergoglio, said the future pope had a parrot when he was in the seminary, adding that, because he loved to play jokes, “I wouldn’t put it past him that he taught the little beast a swear word or two.”
2. He has a colourful resume
As a young man the Pope worked as a bouncer to pay for his schooling. Later, he taught high school literature and psychology, which, he said, helped him discover the secret to bringing people back to Church.
3. He was a Jesuit Oskar Schindler
As head of the Jesuit province in Argentina, then-Fr. Bergoglio ran a clandestine network that hid people threatened by the nation’s military-backed dictatorship. Many of those who provided rides or housing for his “guests” learned years later they they had been part of his secret strategy.
4. He is a homebody with missionary zeal
Despite travelling extensively, the Pope considers himself “a homebody” who easily gets homesick. Yet he joined the Society of Jesus because of its work in mission lands.
5. He has an achy back
The Pope says the worst thing to happen in his early days as Pope was “an attack of sciatica.” “I was sitting in an armchair to do interviews and it hurt. Sciatica is very painful, very painful! I don’t wish it on anyone!”
6. He was almost Pope John
As the strongest contender behind then- Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in the 2005 conclave, Pope Francis would have chosen the name John after Blessed John XXIII. Eight years later, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes told him, “Don’t forget the poor,” and that made him think of St. Francis of Assisi, “the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation.”
7. He is an early riser
The Pope starts his day at 4:30 a.m. “I pray the breviary every morning. I like to pray with the psalms. Then, later, I celebrate Mass,” before his workday begins, he has said. He eats lunch between noon and 1 p.m., then rests for about 30 minutes before returning to work. His favourite part of the day is eucharistic adoration at 7 p.m., where he often falls asleep in prayer.
8. He is a multi-tasker
Jesuit Father Juan Carlos Scannone, a friend and former professor, said the Pope is “a one-man band” who can juggle many tasks at the same time. “Once I saw him writing an article on the typewriter, then go do his laundry, then receive someone who needed spiritual guidance. Spiritual work, a technician and a manual labourer all at the same time and with the same high quality.”
9. He travels light
Departing for Brazil last July, people were stunned the Pope held his own carry-on bag. What’s inside? “It wasn’t the key for the atom bomb,” he told journalists. “There was a razor, a breviary, an appointment book, a book to read. I have always taken a bag with me when traveling — it’s normal.”
10. He is the first biker pope
Pope Francis briefly owned what became the world’s most expensive Harley-Davidson when he was given a brand new Dyna Super Glide. Rather than go for a ride, the Pope autographed the bike and it raised $326,000 in an auction to benefit a Rome soup kitchen and homeless shelter.