The sister of the Catholic Church’s late leader once revealed insights into whether he had aspirations of becoming pope. However, her account differs from claims made by someone believed to be his childhood sweetheart.

Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, died on April 21, 2025, at Casa Santa Marta, his chosen residence in Vatican City. Known for his humility, compassion, and deep commitment to the marginalized, his passing prompted a global outpouring of reflection on the legacy he leaves behind.

However, while much has been written about his leadership, renewed attention turned to his life before the papacy — including the only woman ever romantically linked to him.

The late pope pursued the priesthood after the woman he allegedly loved declined his proposal. The blonde, once the subject of public interest, was spotted during an interview with reporters.

Alongside these glimpses into his youth, those closest to him offered rare insight into the man he was before he wore the white cassock. María Elena Bergoglio, the younger sister of Pope Francis, once revealed in an interview that he never aspired to lead the Catholic Church.

She recalled private conversations during which they joked about the idea, and he would respond, “No, please no.” Despite his initial hesitation, she called his role “a blessing from God,” and thought that his first public appearance as Pope conveyed a fullness of heart.

However, a glimpse into his youth emerged when Amalia Damonte, a childhood acquaintance from the Buenos Aires suburb of Flores, shared a striking memory of Pope Francis’ early years in a 2013 interview. She recalled him once declaring, “If I can’t marry you, I’ll become a priest.”

Damonte hinted at a possible twist of fate, suggesting that had he not left his position at the church of San José de Flores a few months earlier, he might have been the one officiating her wedding. As for her own feelings, she dismissed any notion of youthful romance, “In love?… I only knew love when I was much older.”

The Argentine woman, who grew up as Pope Francis’ neighbor, recalled being the object of his affections when they were just 12 years old. A handwritten note he left for her caused quite a stir at the time.

“I remember perfectly that he had drawn me a little white house, which had a red roof, and it said, ‘This is what I’ll buy when we marry,'” she recounted. Though the letter was a childhood gesture, it caused an uproar in Damonte’s household.

“These were childish things, nothing more,” she said, but her parents saw it differently. Her father spanked her, and her mother confronted her directly.

“My mom broke it off. Good Lord. She came to get me at the school and said, ‘So, you’re getting letters from a boy?!'” Damonte recalled. From that moment, her parents took strict measures to keep them apart.

“My parents pulled me away completely. From that point on, they did everything possible to separate us,” she added. “What I wanted is for him to disappear from the map!”

They spoke once more, but the conversation was tense. She told him to stay away and not approach her again, warning that if he got too close to her father, he would be in danger. Looking back, she dismissed the experience as insignificant, noting that nothing could have come of it given the strictness of their parents.

The Bergoglio family left Membrillar Street decades ago, and Damonte moved away as well, eventually marrying and raising a family. She later returned to her parents’ home but never attempted to reconnect with her former neighbor, though she followed his rise in the church from a distance.

She viewed him as a down-to-earth person, much like herself, and believed they shared a humble nature and compassion for the poor — values she felt were often overlooked in today’s world.

Despite Argentine media dubbing her the “Pope’s Girlfriend” and speculating about a possible reunion, she dismissed the idea as absurd. Acknowledging the vast difference in their lives, she considered herself part of his past — a simple and untainted chapter that remained tied to their shared beginnings.

Despite considering herself part of his past, she was stunned when she learned that her childhood sweetheart had become Pope. In another interview, Damonte admitted, “I froze in front of the television. I couldn’t believe that Jorge was the Pope.”

She described him as a wonderful person and someone she had always regarded as honorable. Though surprised by his rise to the papacy, Damonte continued to follow her former love’s journey from a distance.

Sadly, by the time Pope Francis had turned 88, he had faced significant health challenges over the years. Most recently, after experiencing breathing difficulties for several days, he was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025. Doctors diagnosed him with double pneumonia, a severe lung infection.

According to a Vatican statement on February 23, he remained in critical condition while receiving treatment for pneumonia and mild renal insufficiency. He was given oxygen therapy and underwent a blood transfusion, though officials noted that he had a “tranquil” night following treatment.

Despite his condition, he remained conscious and even took part in Holy Mass from his hospital room. Medical experts described his case as serious, citing complications such as low blood counts and kidney issues.

While the Vatican reported that his red blood cell levels had stabilized and no further respiratory distress had occurred, concerns about his overall health persisted.

Despite his critical condition, Pope Francis remained engaged with the public, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support. In a message shared on X, he acknowledged the many well-wishes sent his way during his hospital stay.

He penned that he was especially moved by letters and drawings from children and expressed gratitude for the support and prayers from around the world.

Pope Francis also faced respiratory illnesses and gastrointestinal issues over the years. In 2021, he underwent surgery for a gastrointestinal condition, followed by another procedure in 2023 to treat a hernia.

His health struggle had been unpredictable. After initially showing signs of improvement, his condition worsened, leading to further concerns.

The Vatican confirmed that he was first hospitalized for bronchitis but later diagnosed with a polymicrobial respiratory infection. A CT scan then revealed pneumonia in both lungs.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri described Pope Francis as a “fragile” patient due to his age and medical history, emphasizing that his condition could shift daily.

Despite these challenges, he remained in good spirits, even leaving his hospital bed to pray in the chapel. His doctors had not set a discharge date at the time, stating that he would remain under care until he regained full strength.

As Pope Francis remained under medical care, quiet preparations were underway at the Vatican for what lay ahead. While no formal plans had been announced, discussions about his burial wishes had already taken place.

Unlike most of his predecessors, who were laid to rest in the Vatican, Francis chose a different final resting place. He wished to be buried at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, a site deeply tied to his personal faith.

In a December 12, 2023, interview with Mexican news outlet N+, he revealed that he had already discussed the details with Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli. “We simplified them quite a bit. I will premiere the new ritual,” the Pope said.

His decision broke from long-standing tradition. For centuries, popes have been interred beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, with the last exception being Pope Leo XIII in 1903, who was buried at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Though 6 popes have been laid to rest at St. Mary Major, the last was Pope Clement IX in 1669, making Pope Francis’ request a rare departure from custom.

The basilica held deep significance for him. Before becoming pope, he frequently visited the church on Sunday mornings whenever he was in Rome.

It is home to Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the People of Rome), a revered Byzantine-style icon of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus — an image he long held close to his heart.