Pope Francis reveals his “mischievous” youth in an autobiography published Tuesday, in a book that also touches on his childhood, immigration and ordering pizza.
In excerpts of “Hope: The Autobiography” provided by publishers, the pontiff recounts episodes from growing up in a multicultural neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, including things he would come to regret.
“I remember my sins and I am ashamed… I am a sinner like everyone else,” the 88-year-old leader of the world’s Roman Catholics writes, describing himself as a “mischievous child”.
The pope, who has repeatedly urged sympathy and care for migrants hoping to reach Europe, also tells of his own Italian grand-parents’ emigration to Argentina in 1929.
Holding only third-class boat tickets for the voyage, his grandmother had to hide her possessions in the lining of her jacket.
“There’s nothing new about it. It’s a story of yesterday as much as one of today,” Francis writes.
He also recounts his surprise at being chosen in 2013 to lead the Catholic church, saying: “I had never imagined that the conclave could affect me directly, and in no way could I have thought about a name as pope.”
Francis also says he has not watched TV since 1990, “to respect a vow I made to the Virgen del Carmen on the night of July 15 of that year”.
“That evening I was with my community in Buenos Aires, we were watching the TV, and a sordid scene appeared on the screen, which deeply offended me: I got up and left.”
That has meant not being able to watch matches of his favourite San Lorenzo football team — though a Swiss Guard brings him match results — among the sacrifices of being pope.
“Going out for a pizza is one of the small things that I most miss,” he writes.
“As a cardinal, I used to love walking the streets and taking the subway.. I have always liked walking.”