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Pope Francis says he 'didn't want to be pope'

AP
In this image made from video provided by APTN, Pope Francis lays his hands on the head of a young man on May 19 after celebrating Mass in St. Peter's Square. The young man heaved deeply a half-dozen times, convulsed and shook, and then slumped in his wheelchair as Francis prayed over him.
  • Pope Francis says he%27s living in the Vatican for his %22psychiatric%22 health
  • He answered children%27s questions Friday
  • The pope also says as a priest he suffered %22moments of interior darkness%22

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has revealed that he never wanted to be pope and that he's living in the Vatican hotel for his "psychiatric" health.

Francis got very personal Friday as he met with thousands of children from Jesuit schools across Italy and Albania. Answering their questions, Francis told them the decision to become a priest had been difficult for him and that he had suffered "moments of interior darkness" when "you feel dry, without interior joy."

But he said he went ahead because he loved Christ.

One of the most touching moments came when Teresa, a bright-eyed redhead no more than six, asked Francis flat out if he had wanted to be pope.

After joking around, Francis replied: "I didn't want to be pope."

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