In a recent interview for Argentinian newspaper la Voz Del Pueblo, Pope Francis said he rises at 4 in the morning, has not watched television since 1990, never surfs the internet and he reads one only newspaper – Italian broadsheet la Repubblica.

The Pontiff added that he would want to walk the streets as a normal person and gave further interesting personal perspectives into himself and his ministry.

When asked how he would like to be remembered, Pope Francis answered: “As a decent man. I would like to think that people will say: ‘He was a decent person who tried to do some good.’ I don’t have any other expectations.”

It is not the first time the pope has left the impression of feeling like a prisoner in the Vatican, where he is unable to walk out when he pleases.

In the new profile he also admitted this fact. “All I really want is to go out walking the streets. That is what I miss most, the peacefulness of walking the streets or maybe going to a pizzeria to eat a good pizza. I can still order it but it is not the same thing. When I was cardinal in Buenos Aires I loved to walk the streets, take the bus or the metro. The city fascinates me. In my soul I am a citizen,” he explained.

Pope Francis said he is not worried for his security, saying he tended to be ”a bit reckless” in this field “As for attacks on me, I’m in the hands of God. In my prayers I talk to God and I say to him: ‘If it has to happen, then let it happen. I ask only that it is not too painful.’ I am a coward when it comes to physical pain”, he mentioned.

The Pope, an avid soccer fan, said he couldn’t pick between current Argentinian stars because he never saw them play.

He said he had met Lionel Messi, arguably the best Argentinian footballer in the 21st century, twice in the Vatican but had never watched him play, because of a promise he made 25 years ago to the Virgin of Carmine that he would no longer watch television.

Television is “not for me”, he said, adding that a member of the Swiss Guards in the Vatican is keeping him informed about the performances of San Lorenzo de Almagro, the Buenos Aires squad he has always supported.

Image Source: Grist