So if I bump into Pope Francis over the weekend, what should I say? He continues to live in the Vatican where, according to Reuters, he benefits from security, privacy and “legal protection from any attempt to prosecute him in connection with sexual abuse cases around the world”. However, according to the Italian paper La Stampa, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI – who was the first pontiff since 1415 to retire from office when he stepped down in February 2013 at the age of 85, citing deteriorating strength – gets a pension of €2,500 a month. On his election, the pope-elect’s private property is usually either donated to the church, transferred to a family member, used to endow a foundation, or placed in trust. As a Jesuit, Pope Francis had already taken a vow of poverty. In 2001, the Vatican confirmed that the pope “does not and has never received a salary”. How much does one get paid for being pope? Papal socks: you can buy a pair of knee-high socks in papal white cotton or cardinal red silk, made by the ecclesiastical tailor Gammarelli, for €23 The handmade red papal shoes and dashing ermine-trimmed cape beloved of Benedict XVI have fallen out of favour during the reign of Francis, who prefers a simple pair of plain black brogues. The Gammarelli family, which has been making clothing for the clergy since 1798, is also responsible for making the pope’s white, watered silk cassock, which he puts on immediately after the conclave – during the deliberations, sets in three sizes are left in the Room of Tears, to cater for all possible papal body shapes. However, you can buy a pair of knee-high socks in papal white cotton or cardinal red silk made by the ecclesiastical tailor Gammarelli for ¤23. If I can’t be pope, can I get a cassock like his? However, for the past 600 years, the cardinals have chosen one of their own. Theoretically, any baptised, male Catholic who has reached the age of reason, is not a heretic, is not in schism (refusing to submit to the pontiff) and is not “notorious for simony” (selling ecclesiastical privileges) can become pope.

To mark his visit – or just take your mind off the traffic chaos – here’s an opportunity to brush up on everything you’ve probably never asked yourself about popes and the papacy, from what to say to Pope Francis if you get stuck in a lift with him, where to buy socks like his, and which of the past popes he’d probably prefer to forget.Īre you a cardinal? If not, it’s not good news. As you’ll know unless you’ve spent the last few weeks sequestered in a beehive hut on Puffin Island, the pope is due to touch down in Ireland at 10.30am this morning.

Broken heart bordello images