Things you didn't know about Pope Francis -

Pope Francis is known for his humanitarian work and his bold opinions. Sometimes he causes controversy with his relatively liberal points of view.

But what is the pontiff really like and how was his life before he became head of the Catholic church?

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266th Pope - Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He chose the name Francis as a tribute to Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy. He is the 266th leader of the Catholic Church and current head of the Vatican City state.

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Previous career - Before he followed a religious path, Pope Francis performed chemical tests in a lab, worked as a janitor in a factory, was a security guard, and taught literature. Years later, he earned degrees in chemistry and philosophy.

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Traveler - He built his ecclesiastical career in Argentina, but also studied in Chile and Germany for brief periods.

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Soccer fan - He's a huge fan of the Argentinian soccer club San Lorenzo, and his membership card is the proof!

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San Lorenzo -

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was raised in the neighborhood of Flores, home to the San Lorenzo team. His father played basketball for San Lorenzo.

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Homage - When the San Lorenzo soccer team won the Argentinian championship, they gave Pope Francis a replica of the trophy that they received.

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Childhood sweetheart - He had a girlfriend before he followed God's calling. He even proposed to her when they were just 12!

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The first - Pope Francis was the first Jesuit Pope, the first non-European Pope since the 18th century, and the first to replace a Pope who stepped down in over 600 years.

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Unprecedented encounter - When Pope Benedict XVI stepped down in 2013, something unprecedented happened in the history of the Catholic church: an encounter between two Popes.

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Prolonged election - Pope Francis was elected in March 2013. The process took over 27 hours and included four ballots.

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Really close - Jorge Mario Bergoglio ranked second in the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI to replace Pope John Paul II.

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Talented cook - He likes to cook his own food, as his mother taught him when he was a child.

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Little luggage - The pontiff travels with just a small overnight bag and he carries it himself. He once said he usually carried a knife, a notebook, and a book about Mother Theresa.

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Favorite drink - He is a wine-lover and he loves mate, a herbal infusion that is very popular in South America.

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Music - He is a fan of the Argentinian tango singer Carlos Gardel.

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Favorite authors - Pope Francis is an avid reader and a lover of poetry. He has revealed that he is a fan of Russian writer Fiodór Dostoiévski and Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges.

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Bird-lover - Pope Francis loves animals, especially birds, and even had some bird pets of his own. His sister has said that when he was younger he taught his parrot how to say swear words!

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Early bird - The Pope's day starts at around 4:30 am. He starts by reciting the breviary, then the psalms, then he celebrates mass and prays the rosary. His working day includes reading correspondence. He also attends meetings with other religious figures.

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Fights for the sick - In 2001, Jorge Mario Bergoglio washed the feet of 12 AIDS patients at an asylum in Argentina.

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Humble - He is known for leading a simple lifestyle. He lives in a 70 sq m apartment in the Vatican and he doesn't appreciate when his cardinals opt for unnecessary luxuries.

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A regular guy - When he was a priest in Argentina, he would use public transportation.

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One lung - The pontiff has been living with one lung since he was 21. The other was removed because of an infection.

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Healthy - He said he is able to live perfectly well with the condition and that he didn't feel any complications after the surgery.

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When he was named Pope... - He told fellow countrymen not to travel to Rome to celebrate his appointment as Pope, but to instead donate the money that they would spend to charities.

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Popular - Pope Francis was already popular when he was made cardinal in 2001. He auctioned his old motorcycle and a Harley-Davidson leather jacket, both signed by him.

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Raising money - The managed to raise US$326,000 in the auction, and the money went to a homeless shelter in Rome.

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Multilingual - Mario Bergoglio speaks Spanish, Italian, and German.

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Back in the day - He was criticized in Argentina for allegedly supporting the military regime that was in power in the 1970s and '80s.

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Breaking the rules - He looks playful in this top hat in June 2016!

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Sombrero time! - The pontiff was given yet another hat when he visited Panama in July 2016.

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Even on the stamps! -

Pope Francis had his face on stamps after 2013 World Youth Day in Brazil!

See also: Discover the masterpiece that is Vatican City

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