Pope Francis told thousands of children who gathered at the Vatican on Friday that he did not want to be the head of the Church before his election.
Pope Francis, who has railed against “careerism” in the Catholic Church since being elected as its leader three months ago, said on Friday that he never yearned for the post.
“No, I did not want to be pope,” Francis said in an unscripted question-and-answer session with students from Jesuit schools.
“A person who wants to be pope does not love himself,” the pontiff added, in a trademark show of humility.
He also explained to students why he had refused the large apartment normally reserved for popes, preferring to stay in the Vatican guest house instead. Continue reading
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