Pope Francis to Stay Living in Vatican Guesthouse for Now - East Idaho News
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Pope Francis to Stay Living in Vatican Guesthouse for Now

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GETTY 32713 PopeFrancisWave?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1364374402776Dan Kitwood/Getty Images(ROME) — Pope Francis wants to be treated like a guest.

The newly inaugurated pontiff has reservations about moving into the spacious and ornate Apostolic Palace, where all his predecessors have stayed.

So in keeping with his desire for a simpler lifestyle in spite of his position as head of the 1.2-billion member Roman Catholic Church, Francis will remain for the time being in the Vatican guesthouse with other clergy.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said on Tuesday that Francis let “his fellow cardinals know that he will keep living with them for a certain period of time.”

Francis had been staying in one of the more Spartan rooms until it was decided he should move over to a slightly larger suite in order to accommodate guests.

Even at that, the pope continues to dine with others in the common dining room at the guest house.

Reflecting the simple ways of the pope, Rome’s transport office is now printing one million bus and metro tickets bearing Francis’ silhouette — a nod to his choice of using public transportation to get around.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

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