Get To Know The Personal Side Of Pope Francis With These Fun Facts!

Only a few days left and Pope Francis will be here in Abu Dhabi.

The visit – set to take place from 3^rd to 5^th February – will mark the first time that the leader of the Catholic Church will set foot on UAE soil, making the occasion a historic moment both for the country and the church itself.

يسعدنا في دولة الإمارات الترحيب بزيارة قداسة البابا فرنسيس بابا الفاتيكان، الذي يعد رمزا عالميا من رموز السلام والتسامح وتعزيز روابط الأخوة الإنسانية. نتطلع إلى زيارة تاريخية، ننشد عبرها تعظيم فرص الحوار والتعايش السلمي بين الشعوب.. ازدهار السلام غاية تتحقق بالتآلف وتقبل اﻵخر. pic.twitter.com/7qiBhEhqI7

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) December 6, 2018

But before the big day, we take a look at some interesting facts about Pope Francis…

• Pope Francis was born on 17^th December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is 82 years old.

View this post on Instagram

#peace, #paz, #pace, #paix, #Frieden

A post shared by Pope Francis (@franciscus) on May 9, 2017 at 7:25am PDT

• His real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

View this post on Instagram

EN: Christ is Risen. By virtue of this event, we are called to be new men and women according to the Spirit, affirming the value of life. PT: Cristo ressuscitou. Em razão deste acontecimento, somos chamados a ser homens e mulheres novos segundo o Espírito, afirmando o valor da vida. ES: Cristo resucitó. A causa de este evento, estamos llamados a ser hombres y mujeres nuevos según el Espíritu, afirmando el valor de la vida. IT: Cristo è risorto. In forza di questo evento, siamo chiamati ad essere uomini e donne nuovi secondo lo Spirito, affermando il valore della vita. DE: Christus ist auferstanden. Kraft dieses Ereignisses sind wir gerufen, neue Männer und Frauen nach dem Heiligen Geist zu sein, die den Wert des Lebens herausstellen #Easter, #páscoa, #pascua, #pasqua

A post shared by Pope Francis (@franciscus) on Apr 20, 2017 at 7:54am PDT

• The pope is reportedly fond of cooking and paella is said to be one of his culinary specialities.

• Pope Francis is a big fan of football. As for his favourite team, it’s the San Lorenzo de Almagro football club.

View this post on Instagram

* EN: Practice with enthusiasm so you can be champions in life and champions in love! * PT: Treinai-vos com entusiasmo, para vos tornardes campeões de vida, campeões de amor! * ES: Entrenaos con entusiasmo para ser campeones de vida, campeones de amor! * ITA: Allenatevi con entusiasmo per diventare campioni di vita, campioni di amore! * FR: Entraînez-vous avec enthousiasme pour devenir des champions de la vie, champions d’amour ! * DE: Trainiert euch mit Begeisterung, um Champions des Lebens zu werden! #SOSChildrensVillage, #fridayofmercy, #sextafeiradamisericordia, #viernesdelamisericordia, #venerdidellamisericordia, #vendredisdelamiséricorde

A post shared by Pope Francis (@franciscus) on Oct 14, 2016 at 12:01pm PDT

• Pope Francis was 76 when he was elected to the papacy on 13^th March 2013.

View this post on Instagram

Pray for me Rezad por mí Pregate per me صلوا من أجلي Priez pour moi Módlcie się za mnie Rezem por mim Betet für mich Orate pro me

A post shared by Pope Francis (@franciscus) on Mar 19, 2016 at 4:24am PDT

• On the night of his election as pope, he opted to take the bus back to the hotel rather than ride the papal car.

• He chose the name Francis in honour of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and nature.

For more information on his schedule, visit UAE Papal Visit