How romantic rejection at 12 forged the most controversial Pope

When Jorge Mario Bergoglio was 12, he developed a crush on a girl called Amalia. Both sets of parents disapproved of their children forming an attachment so young but Jorge went ahead and proposed marriage anyway, according to Amalia.

She recalled with a laugh: 'He said that if I didn't say yes, he would have to become a priest. Fortunately for him I said no.'

It must count as one of the most momentous rejections in history, as Bergoglio not only went on to be ordained but rose to become head of the Roman Catholic church.

Load More