10. Languages Spoken
He may have been raised an Argentinean, but
he speaks fluently German and Italian
languages aside from his native tongue,
Spanish. He learned the German language while
studying Theology in Germany. We don’t
know yet that with his appointment as Pope
Francis, he could learn to speak the English
language although he understands it.
9. He Is Very Independent
To those people who know him, they have
attested that he does things on his own, like
cooking his own food and even ride buses
whenever he attends to his church obligations.
Although he has authority to delegate tasks,
but he chose to be independent, without
relying from others, especially if he knows that
he can easily perform it.
8. He Has One Lung
When he was a teenager, he had a serious lung
infection that resulted to severe infection,
which was the cause of the removal of one of
his lungs. Yes, he has one functioning lung, but
who would have thought that he would get
this far, and he would be able to serve the
Christian community across the globe.
7. First Argentinean Pope
Based on his profile, his parents were
immigrants from Italy to Argentina. One would
say that he could be claimed of having an
Italian descent. Nonetheless, everyone must
take note that Argentina became the channel of
immigrants from Europe like Spain, Italy,
Germany, and other countries. Aside from that
he is the first Pope who did not come from
European countries, he is the first Pope who
chose to carry the name of Francis because he
admired so much the late St. Francis of Assisi.
6. Front Runner in 2005 Conclave
Everyone believes that he could have been the
betted and competent challenger of the former
Pope Benedict XVI during the 2005 conclave. It
was actually described as a horse race then
between him and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger,
especially when the conclave diary was
disclosed that he got 40 votes that would
qualify him to be a runner-up that time. The
process of conclave this year is way different
in the conclaves done years ago, wherein
accomplishments have been the primary
element to be elected.
5. Humble in All His Ways
It’s true that former Cardinal Jorge Mario
Bergoglio came from a humble family, where
his father worked in railway while his mother
served as a diligent housewife. Nonetheless,
despite of the educational accomplishments
and career path that he took before becoming a
priest in 1958, he still chooses to do things
with simplicity. In fact, he is the only Pope in
history, and even when he was still serving as
a cardinal, who beg-off to use all the luxuries
in life that he can enjoy as one of the highest
authorities in Roman Catholic. He lives in a
simple apartment and living like a commoner.
In fact, even with special meetings with other
cardinals, he would seat at the backseat
signifying how meek and reserved he was.
4. Professor
Prior to his call as a bishop, he was teaching
psychology, philosophy, theology, and
literature, since he has a degree in Philosophy
that he got from the Catholic University in
Buenos Aires. Some of the schools where he
taught were Colegio de la Immaculada, Colegio
del Salvador, and highschool in Santa Fe,
Argentina that all happened from 1964 until
1966. Right after his ordination to the
priesthood in 1969, he started attending the
Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San
Miguel where he earned his novice master.
Later on, he served as a Professor of Theology.
3. His Ecclesiastical Path
His desire to serve the Lord did not start in him
in an instant. His passion became apparent
when he had made a decision as he turned 21
to be a priest. By 1958, he studied seminary at
Villa Devoto to pursue his desire of becoming a
priest. The coming years, he was studying with
the same teaching subjects of his expertise in
college and in high school. By December 13,
1969 he received his priesthood ordination
after he finished theology. From 1973 to 1979
he acted as provincial superior in Argentina
and a rector in 1980 until 1986. In 1992 he
became Auxilliary Bishop of Buenos Aires and
mid that year as Titular Bishop of Auca. In
1998, he served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
During the time of Pope John Paul II in 2001,
he assumed the Cardinal position, where he
held 5 administrative positions. When the late
Pope John Paul II died, he was considered for
the 2005 papal conclave, although he was not
appointed; the ball turned to him this year, and
was appointed Pope Francis.
2. Educational Attainment
Little does everyone know, especially those
who have not expected that he would become
the current Pope of this generation; he has also
completed a chemical technician course from a
technical high school. He also finished
Philosophy at Colegio Maximo San Jose in
1960, and Theology in 1967 despite of the
humble circumstances that his family had at his
early age. It’s his same focus in all of his
advocacies, where he fights poverty, and
promotes opportunity for better education.
1. Family Background
He is one of the 5 children of Mario Jose
Bergoglio and Regina Maria Sivori, who
migrated to Argentina from Italy. He has not
disclosed so much information about his family
roots, although he has shared some pictures of
his family, his parents, and especially the
wedding picture of them. Definitely, his being
discreet or being a private person made him
unknown or even popular to the top 10 Future
Popes racing for the Papal seat in 2013. In fact,
none has expected because he was not even
cited or mentioned in any list or surveys
conducted online and offline.


source : [url]m.naijaclone.tk/2013/03/14/top-10-interesting-facts-about-pope-francis/[/url]