Pope Francis admitted he once fell in love with a woman, in his new book, “Life: My Story Through History.”
The Pope shared many stories about milestone moments in his life, and one of the tales he recalled from his past, was the powerful feeling of falling in love with a woman. He admitted those strong feelings distracted him from what has now become his life’s work, and explained how hard it was for him to focus on his religion at the time, according to People.
Pope Francis waves to thousands of followers as he arrives at the Manila Cathedral on January 16, 2015 in Manila, Philippines. Pope Francis will visit venues across Leyte and Manila during his visit to the Philippines from January 15 – 19.Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he appears at the balcony to deliver his Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican on December 25, 2022.Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images
He explained the emotional conflict he experienced in his youth.
“During that year at the seminary I experienced a minor lapse,” the Pope wrote in his book, according to People.
“This is normal. We wouldn’t be human otherwise,” he said.
Pope Francis waves from the Popemobile on his way to attend the Via Crucis on Copacabana Beach during World Youth Day celebrations on July 26, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Pope Francis speaks during the weekly general audience on June 8, 2022 at St. Peter’s Square in The Vatican. Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images
“I had been engaged once, to a very sweet girl who worked in the world of cinema and went on to marry and have children,” he said.
He went on to explain how his heart and his faith were both challenged by love.
“Now, at the wedding of an uncle of mine, I found myself dazzled by a particular young woman,” the Pope wrote in his book. “She was so beautiful, so clever, it made my head spin.”
“For a week I kept picturing her in my mind’s eye, and found it difficult to pray,” he said, according to People.
Pope Francis skimmed past the challenge in his next sentence, saying that he eventually got over those loving feelings.
Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he drives around St Peter’s Square ahead of his first weekly general audience as pope on March 27, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis held his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square today. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
TOPSHOT – Pope Francis stands at the balcony of St. Peter’s basilica to deliver the Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican on December 25, 2023. Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images
“Fortunately it passed, and I was able to dedicate my mind and body to my vocation,” he said. (RELATED: Rita Moreno Says She Hooked Up With Elvis To Get Over Marlon Brando)
The book connects stories from Pope Francis’ life to the journey of his face, and the events that unfolded in the world around him.
“Life: My Story Through History” was translated from the original Italian by Aubrey Botsford, and is available for sale March 19, according to People.