He's just an ordinary guy: Pope renews Argentine passport

Updated on: 19 February,2014 09:03 AM IST |
Agencies |

Even insisted on paying the fees of $55 from his own pocket

Buenos aires: Pope Francis may be the head of the Vatican state, but he’s not giving up the right to travel as just another Argentine citizen.

Smile, please: In contrast to the smiling Francis, the photo in his passport shows him posing in his white papal outfit, with a serious and even annoyed expression. Pic/AFP

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church has renewed his Argentine passport and national identity card, and Argentina’s Vatican envoy said that he insisted on paying for the documents himself.

Renewing Argentine passports and identity cards usually cost about $55 (Rs 3,421).

“He wanted it for when he travels. The Argentine passport is valuable for that!” said Ambassador Juan Pablo Cafiero. Cafiero said he and a deputy went over to the Pope’s hotel in the Vatican gardens to personally take Francis’ picture and fingerprints and record his signature using a notebook computer.

Since popes automatically pick up Vatican citizenship, Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo said the passport renewal “fills us with pride.”