By Zoe Romanowsky
CNA Staff, Apr 25, 2025 / 07:00 am
Exploring the Personal Side of Pope Francis
Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has left a lasting impact not only through historic events and themes but also through his unique personality, character, and style. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more personal moments that showcase the man behind the white cassock.
Being the first Jesuit, first pope from the Americas, and the first non-European pope in centuries, Pope Francis has brought a fresh perspective to the papacy. He has also embraced technological advancements, using video conferencing for diplomatic efforts and even taking personal phone calls during general audiences.
As we reflect on Pope Francis’s legacy, it’s important to highlight some of his intimate moments, offering insights into his humanity and leadership during challenging times.
Kissing a disfigured man
One of the most touching moments was when Pope Francis embraced and kissed Vinicio Riva, an Italian man with neurofibromatosis type 1, a disfiguring condition. Riva shared that the Pope’s fearless gesture of love and acceptance deeply moved him, demonstrating the value of every human life.
The Pope’s Surprising Visit to a Record Shop in Rome
As I stood outside the Stereosound record shop in Rome, I felt a great warmth envelop me. The shop, located near the Pantheon, had just been blessed by none other than Pope Francis himself. The pope, known for his love of classical music, was caught leaving the record shop after its renovation on January 11, 2022.
Unexpected Encounter with Pope Francis
According to a report by Reuters, Pope Francis decided to pay a surprise visit to his friends who own the record shop in Rome. The pope, a patron of classical music, used to frequent the shop before becoming the pontiff. Although it is unclear if he made any purchases during his brief visit as pope, a Rome Reports TV reporter happened to capture the moment on camera as Francis exited the store.
The video of the pope at the record shop quickly went viral on Twitter, thanks to the reporter’s chance encounter. When the journalist later wrote to apologize to the pope for the unexpected recording, Francis responded with grace, attributing the incident to “bad luck” and urging the journalist not to lose his sense of humor.
A Playful Side of Pope Francis
This visit to the record shop is not the first time Pope Francis has shown his playful side. In a heartwarming gesture in 2013, he donned a red clown nose to surprise a newlywed couple who volunteered at a charity involving clown therapy for children. The image of the pope embracing humor and joy spread worldwide, showcasing a different side of the pontiff.
The Pontifical Mission Societies launched the #JokeWithThePope initiative in September 2013, showcasing a lighter side of Pope Francis. In fact, joy was a theme Francis often emphasized, urging the faithful to be joyful and not be “sourpusses.” His first encyclical, “The Joy of the Gospel,” reflected this emphasis on joy.
Holy Matrimony 35,000 Feet Up
In January 2018, during a papal visit to Chile, Pope Francis was approached by a Catholic couple who were flight attendants on his plane. The couple, who had been legally married, could not have a religious ceremony due to damage caused by an earthquake in their church in Santiago, Chile. Pope Francis graciously offered to perform a short marriage ceremony for them during their flight, with a cardinal providing a handwritten marriage document for them to sign.
Interviewed by the Homeless
In a display of his deep compassion for the poor, Pope Francis allowed a group of homeless and disadvantaged individuals to interview him at his residence, Domus Sanctae Marthae (Casa Santa Marta). Members of the French organization Association Lazare, who provide shelter to those in need, asked questions on behalf of impoverished individuals from 80 countries. The questions covered a range of topics, from his salary as pope to his favorite saint.
