BUENOS AIRES, Feb 17 (Reuters) – Pope Francis wants to
travel the world as a regular Argentine and not a privileged
citizen of the Vatican City microstate, Argentina said on
Monday.
The head of the Catholic Church and former bishop of Buenos
Aires has asked his birth country to renew his passport and
identification card, the country’s interior and transportation
ministry said.
“Francis specifically asked not to enjoy any privileges so
his new identification card and passport have been processed
through the usual administrative channels,” Minister Florencio
Randazzo said.
“In coming days, he will receive his passport in the Casa
Santa Marta in the Vatican, where he has stated he is a
resident,” Randazzo said.
Francis has opted to live in the smaller Vatican guest house
instead of the official papal apartments, part of the humble
lifestyle he has embraced since assuming the papacy last year.
Argentina’s government, which enjoys drawing attention to
the popular new pope’s roots, released pictures of Francis’ new
identification card on Monday.
Francis already holds a passport issued by the Vatican,
Randazzo said.
(Reporting by Guido Nejamkis; Writing by Mitra Taj; Editing by
Jan Paschal)
