Francis Thinks He'll Be Pope 5 Years, Tops

And he's really dying to go out for pizza without anyone seeing him
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 13, 2015 11:18 AM CDT
Francis Thinks He'll Be Pope 5 Years, Tops
In this Jan. 17, 2015, file photo, wearing a yellow raincoat, Pope Francis gives a thumbs-up to the faithful as he arrives in Tacloban, Philippines.   (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

Today's the two-anniversary of Jorge Mario Bergoglio becoming pope, and he's waxing somewhat wistful about his expected tenure at the Vatican. "I have the feeling that my Pontificate will be brief, four or five years; I do not know, even two or three," the 78-year-old told Mexican broadcaster Televisa in an interview, via ABC News. "I feel that the Lord has placed me here for a short time, and nothing more."

He expanded on how he deals with his fatalistic philosophy by comparing himself to "a gambler who convinces himself he will lose so he won't be disappointed. And if he wins, he's happy." And while Francis told his Televisa interviewer he "doesn't mind" holding down the Holy See fort, he longs for the day when he can enjoy a modicum of anonymity. "The only thing I would like is to go out one day, without being recognized, and go to a pizzeria for a pizza," he said. (The pope recently offended Mexico with some off-the-cuff remarks.)

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