Madeleine Hull
Pope Francis's diet is a humble one, in keeping with his modest lifestyle. He typically eats freshly-squeezed orange juice and membrillo (a gelatinous pasta from Argentina) for breakfast, and a simple meal of baked chicken, salad, fruit, and wine for lunch and dinner. Italian staples like pasta, gnocchi, and polenta also make an appearance, although he has had to cut back on carbs. The Pope's food is made with fresh, organic, and seasonal ingredients, grown and produced at the Pope's summer residence, Castel Gandolfo.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet type | Modest, simple, and frugal |
| Breakfast | Freshly-squeezed orange juice and membrillo (a sweet, gelatinous pasta made from quince) |
| Lunch and dinner | Baked chicken, salad, fruit, and wine. Italian staples like pasta, gnocchi, and polenta |
| Food sources | Fresh and home-grown produce from the papal estate of Castel Gandolfo |
| Food choices | Emphasis on seasonal ingredients, vegetables, and occasional indulgences like pizza |
| Health considerations | Limited carbs due to medical advice; fish, white rice, and bananas during an upset stomach |
| Cookbook preferences | "The Vatican Cookbook," "The Cuisine of Popes," and recipes from Argentina, Bavaria, and Poland |
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What You'll Learn
Pope Francis's daily diet
Pope Francis is known for his simple, frugal, and healthy diet. He is said to have a passion for pizza and his favourite meal is empanadas, steak, and ice cream. However, he has had to cut back on carbs and is forbidden from eating anything too spicy or greasy.
The Pope wakes up at 4:30 a.m. and prays and meditates before having breakfast in the hotel dining room at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, where he lives. He usually has freshly squeezed orange juice and membrillo, a sweet, gelatinous pasta made from quince that is popular in his native Argentina.
Lunch and dinner are similarly simple and typically consist of baked chicken, salad, fruit, and wine. Italian staples like pasta, gnocchi, and polenta also make occasional appearances, but these have likely been reduced in his diet due to medical advice. The Pope's meals are made with fresh, locally sourced, and organically grown ingredients from the papal estate of Castel Gandolfo.
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Pope Francis's breakfast
Pope Francis wakes up at 4:30 a.m. every day. He prays for two hours, meditates, and prepares his morning homily. After mass and a meet-and-greet with his followers, he sits down for breakfast in the hotel dining room at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, where he lives.
Pope Francis's diet is largely simple and modest, especially compared to his predecessors. He occasionally indulges in Italy's finest foods, and even pizza. However, his meals are usually prepared with fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. The Pope's food is derived from the papal estate of Castel Gandolfo, a vast summer residence for incumbent popes. The 62 acres of farmland are used to grow vegetables, keep crops, and rear animals.
For breakfast, Pope Francis typically has freshly squeezed orange juice and membrillo, a sweet, gelatinous pasta made from quince that is popular in his native Argentina. The Pope's preference for this traditional Argentine breakfast may be influenced by his fondness for his cultural roots, as oregano is also a staple in his diet.
In addition to his daily routine, Pope Francis's breakfast choices may be influenced by his travel schedule. For example, during his visit to New York City in 2015, his meals were limited to a relatively bland rotation of fish, rice, and bananas due to possible stomach issues. On another occasion, he dined at Vivolo, an Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side.
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Pope Francis's predecessors' diets
Pope Francis's diet is simple and frugal, in keeping with his humble lifestyle. He typically starts his day with freshly squeezed orange juice and membrillo, a sweet, gelatinous pasta made from quince that is popular in his native Argentina. Lunch and dinner are similarly basic, with a typical meal consisting of baked chicken, salad, fruit, and wine. Italian staples like pasta, gnocchi, and polenta make occasional appearances, although Pope Francis has had to cut back on carbs due to medical advice. The unifying thread in all his meals is the freshness and quality of the ingredients, which are locally and organically sourced from the papal estate of Castel Gandolfo.
Now, let's take a look at the diets of Pope Francis's predecessors:
Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013)
Pope Benedict XVI, the immediate predecessor of Pope Francis, had a preference for Bavarian cuisine. Unfortunately, there is limited information on the specific dishes he enjoyed.
Pope John Paul II (1978-2005)
Pope John Paul II, the predecessor of Pope Benedict XVI, had a fondness for the foods of his birthplace, Poland. His favourite dish was kremowka, a cream puff from Wadowice, Poland. He typically started his day with a buttered roll and a glass of goat's milk, followed by Polish meat for lunch and Polish cold cuts for supper, all prepared by Polish nuns.
Pope John XXIII (1958-1963)
Born into a large farming family near Bergamo, Pope John XXIII was known for his hearty appetite. He loved homemade dishes, especially cornmeal polenta, caseuola, and various cheeses such as Taleggio, Robiola, and French cheese.
Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590)
Pope Sixtus V was an organic food enthusiast, focusing on fresh and natural ingredients.
Pope Eugene IV (1431-1447)
Pope Eugene IV was a strict teetotaler, meaning he abstained from consuming alcoholic beverages.
Pope Hadrian VI (1522-1523)
Pope Hadrian VI had a diet that exclusively consisted of meat.
Pope Clement VIII (1592-1605) and Pope Clement IX (1667-1669)
Popes Clement VIII and Clement IX practised frugality and fasting, often limiting their meals to bread and water.
Pope Sixtus IV (1471-1484)
Pope Sixtus IV had a reputation for overeating at official banquets, but he would compensate by following drastic starvation diets of vegetables, milk products, and codfish.
Pope Paul V (1559-1565)
Pope Paul V, the only Borghese Pope, had a talented chef named Bartholomew Scappi, who authored the renowned 900-page "Opera dell'arte del cucinare."
Pope Pius V (1566-1562)
Pope Pius V had a unique diet, nourishing himself almost exclusively on donkey's milk.
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Pope Francis's diet when travelling
Pope Francis is known for his simple and modest lifestyle, which extends to his eating habits. When travelling, the Pope's diet is influenced by his surroundings and the local cuisine. For example, during his 2015 visit to New York City, Pope Francis dined at Vivolo, an Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side. On this occasion, he opted for a relatively bland meal of fish, rice, and bananas, as recommended by his doctor.
The Pope's typical breakfast, whether at home or abroad, includes freshly squeezed orange juice and membrillo, a sweet, gelatinous pasta made from quince that is popular in his native Argentina. This simple breakfast reflects his overall frugality and preference for modest meals.
When on the move, Pope Francis's lunches and dinners often consist of basic dishes such as baked chicken, salad, fruit, and wine. He occasionally enjoys Italian staples like pasta, gnocchi, and polenta, although he has had to cut back on carbohydrates due to medical advice. The Pope's meals are characterised by the freshness and quality of the ingredients, which are locally and organically sourced.
Pope Francis's dietary choices are also influenced by his philosophical and environmental beliefs. In his writing, he emphasises the importance of tackling climate change and promoting sustainability. This is reflected in his diet as he prioritises locally sourced, fresh produce, with ingredients coming from the papal estate or Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence.
Overall, Pope Francis's diet when travelling aligns with his modest lifestyle and his commitment to environmental sustainability. His meals tend to be simple and influenced by the local cuisine of the places he visits, while still prioritising fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
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The Vatican Cookbook
A Modest Man, a Modest Diet
Pope Francis, the current Pope, is known for his modest and simple lifestyle, which extends to his eating habits. His diet consists of fresh, seasonal ingredients, often homegrown at the Castel Gandolfo, the papal estate. The Pope's meals are typically basic, with lunch and dinner consisting of baked chicken, salad, fruit, and the occasional glass of wine. Italian staples like pasta, gnocchi, and polenta make an appearance, although the Pope has recently cut back on carbs.
Breakfast of Champions
The Pope starts his day early, waking up at 4:30 am for prayer and meditation. His breakfast is a simple affair, usually consisting of freshly squeezed orange juice and membrillo, a sweet, gelatinous pasta made from quince that is popular in his native Argentina.
A Taste of Home
The Pope's meals often reflect his cultural background, with dishes from Argentina featuring prominently in his diet. One of his favourite meals is cappellacci del prete, hand-rolled ravioli filled with a rich ragù and folded to resemble priests' hats. The Vatican Cookbook also includes recipes from Bavaria and Poland, the home countries of the previous two Popes.
A Holy Feast
While Pope Francis may not host extravagant banquets, he does appreciate the importance of good food and enjoys the occasional indulgence. One of his favourite dishes is said to be bagna cauda, a rich and creamy dish made with anchovies, garlic, butter, and olive oil. The Pope is also a fan of pizza and has been known to enjoy a slice or two during his downtime.
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Frequently asked questions
Pope Francis typically has freshly-squeezed orange juice and membrillo, a sweet, gelatinous pasta made from quince that is popular in his native Argentina.
The Pope's meals are made from fresh, organic produce grown at the papal estate of Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence.
A typical meal for Pope Francis might consist of baked chicken, salad, fruit, and wine. Italian staples like pasta, gnocchi, and polenta also make an appearance.
Pope Francis has a fairly modest diet compared to some of his predecessors. For example, Boniface VIII ate off solid gold tableware, and Clement VI drank Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine.
Yes, Pope Francis has been known to visit restaurants when travelling. For example, during a visit to New York City in 2015, he dined at Vivolo, an Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side.
