Pope Francis: A pontiff's bond with Rome's humble locals
Franciszek has been closely connected to Rome for years. He visited the city both before his election as Pope and after taking over the Holy See. During this time, he has found his favourite places and met people who support him today with their prayers.
Among those praying for Pope Francis's health is his optician, Alessandro Spiezia. - The pope is by now a friend, a beloved person for me, not a customer, he said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Francis was known for his unexpected visits to the optician's on Via del Babuino, near Piazza del Popolo. Every time he appeared there for new glasses lenses, it sparked great interest among Romans and tourists alike.
Since being elected Pope in 2013, he has appeared there several times, arriving in a simple Ford or Fiat, accompanied by modest security. He always warmly greeted the gathered people.
The Associated Press reports that Pope Francis also has favourite ice cream flavours. He enjoys sweet treats at the Domus Sanctae Marthae in the Vatican.
The ice cream shop owner, Sebastián Padrón, an Argentine who runs his "ice cream workshop" right next to Santa Marta, revealed that the Pope has a particular fondness for dulce de leche ice cream, a traditional Argentine caramel dessert.
He called me on the phone after COVID to invite me. He wanted to meet me since he had been eating our ice cream for a few years. We went with my family, we talked to him for a long time. A very nice meeting, very friendly, very simple, as if we were neighbors and as if we had known each other our whole lives - disclosed Padrón.
When the Pope was admitted to the hospital, he sent him a message wishing him a swift recovery.
After we came to know of the hospitalisation we sent him our greetings, and as he always says, we must pray for him - he emphasised.
From the beginning, he opted for simplicity
Also, the Vatican tailor, Raniero Mancinelli, who sold Francis his simple pectoral cross, closely follows the news about the Pope's health condition.
We are all saddened and we all pray for the recovery of the pope, - he said, quoted by The Associated Press.
Before Francis's election, papal dignitaries purchased richly decorated crosses studded with precious stones from Mancinelli. Since Francis assumed office, the style of the clergy has changed - they began to prefer simpler, silver crosses similar to the one the future Pope wore as Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Francis immediately went on a much simpler and essential style, - Mancinelli says.
