It was a shock to hear of Benedict XVI’s resignation as pope 10 years ago, the conclave of cardinals chose his successor in the fifth ballot.

It was March 13, 2013 when white smoke came out of the chimney, revealing that there was already a potato. It was the Argentine Jesuit George Bergoglio, who decided to call himself Francisco in reference to Francisco de Asís, patron saint of the poor. This made him the 266th pope.

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He has left his mark since the first year of his pontificate, despite the fact that the Vatican has faced upheavals. On July 11, 2013, he launched the reform of the Penal Code of the Holy See to combat pedocrime and corruption in the Church.

A year later, he enumerated the evils affecting the Roman Curia and published the encyclical Laudato Sí in June 2015. In 2018, he apologized for the management of sexual assault cases in Chile and also published a letter declaring the dedication of reaffirmed the Church in the fight against sexual violence.

His fight against child sexual abuse was evidenced by the expulsion of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and in 2019 he organized a summit on sexual assault in the church.

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The pontificate also had difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2020 he pronounced the Urbi et Orbi blessing in front of an empty St. Peter’s Square.

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His health condition, on the other hand, is deteriorating, in 2021 he underwent surgery on the colon and is struggling with knee problems, which means he is in a wheelchair.

The Jesuit priest begins his day at the Casa de Santa Martha, according tells infobae. This building is located next to the Basilica of San Pedro and has had its current appearance since 1996 by order of John Paul II. It also serves as a hostel for cardinals during conclaves.

Residence of Pope Francis in the Casa de Santa Marta. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The portal reports that Francisco begins his day at 4:45 a.m. with personal hygiene duties, after which he dedicates a period to meditate and perform the hymns of the Liturgy of the Hours and his devotions. Around 07:00, he takes part in a mass in a chapel of the residence and then listens to those present.

After the Eucharist, he went to the dining room for breakfast. Infobae reports that the pope is avoiding kiwis and strawberries. This is the point where the Holy Father can be found, although the guests are also clergy.

Once it is over, Francisco begins his working day based on audiences, meetings and visits, mainly in the halls in Santa Marta, although more protocol meetings use the Apostolic Palace where a rosary is recited in an envelope bearing the papal coat of arms and a stamp of Francisco and the relevant signature.

Most priests have a day off, if their apostolic work allows it, in Francisco’s case it is usually on Tuesday when he prepares for the audiences he will have the following day in St. Peter’s Square or in Paul VI- room, according to the weather season.

Around noon, Bergoglio goes to the dining room of the residence, where pasta and soup are on the menu, as well as desserts such as tiramisu or panna cotta, as well as fruit and coffee.

After the meal, he rests for about 30 minutes. After returning to work, he continues until dinner, where he repeats the same routine and then goes to bed, as he does not like watching television.