The pontiff arrived in the Western Hemisphere this week, stopping first in Cuba where he held a mass on Tuesday morning and called for a "revolution of tenderness" in the country, according to USA Today.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, arrived in the United States on Tuesday, Sept. 22, for his first official visit to the U.S. and was greeted by President Barack Obama at Andrews Air Force Base, in Maryland.
Although he is already a worldwide phenomenon, consistently making headlines for his decision-making, informal-style – and even his Twitter presence – there's still much to learn about the humble man who, in addition to countless Catholics around the world, can count 7.25 million social media followers, making him a truly "modern" pope.
He even used Twitter to announce his pleasure with his trip to Cuba, and asked for prayers on his trip.
Thank you to the Cuban people! Thank you from my heart!
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) September 22, 2015
I ask you to join me in praying for my trip to Cuba and the United States. I need your prayers. — Pope Francis (@Pontifex) September 18, 2015
Here are 10 facts you may not know about the 266th leader of the Catholic Church:
• He is the first-ever Latin American pope, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrants on Dec. 17, 1936. About 63 percent of Argentina claims Italian heritage, giving the pope a special connection to his homeland as well as the Italian culture-entrenched Vatican City he rules over.
• The pontiff is also the first Jesuit pope, in addition to being the first Latin American to claim the title. This puts him in an interesting position, as Jesuits are not supposed to seek or be put in places of authority, but they are bound to be obedient to the church and its decisions.
• Pope Francis is a huge futbol (or, soccer) fan! The pontiff is very fond of soccer, like many of his fellow Latinos, and is an avid fan of the San Lorenzode Almagro Football Club. It is said that he still has an active membership with the team.
• He is a lover of sweets, especially for alfajores, which are Argentine cookies filled with dulce de leche and covered in chocolate. Pope Francis has admitted he's also a fan of the Argentine tea, mate.
• Prior to entering the priesthood and making his way to becoming pope, he achieved a titulo as chemical technician in Argentina from the Escuela Tecnica Industrial No. 12. The titulo is the United States equivalent of a college degree.
• The pope worked as a bouncer at a bar in Buenos Aires, as well as a janitor, to earn some extra money when he was a young man. Like many of those who follow him, he too was once a young man looking to make some extra cash. Maybe that's how he relates so well.
• He's a dancer! Pope Francis has admitted that he is very fond of the tango and the milonga, two styles of Argentine music. In his 2010 biography, "The Jesuit" (El Jesuita), he said, "I love to tango and I used to dance."
• As a 21-year-old, the pontiff experienced his only health crisis, when he was diagnosed with life-threatening pneumonia. Three cysts were found on his lung, and part of the organ was removed in order to save him.
• Pope Francis is considered open to the idea of changing the rule of celibacy in the priesthood, calling it "a matter of discipline, not faith." As a young priest, he was briefly dazzled by a young woman, and momentarily considered leaving the priesthood to pursue a relationship with her.
• He is fluent in several languages, including Spanish, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, English, Ukranian, and Piedmontese. He will speak Spanish for 14 of his 18 speeches in the United States, since a resounding one-fourth of all masses in the U.S. are given in Spanish.
