When most of us think about what a world leader eats, we imagine fancy meals with rare ingredients and personal chefs working around the clock. But Pope Francis broke that mold completely. His food choices were shockingly simple and modest. In fact, his daily meals looked more like what you might eat at home than what you’d expect from the head of the Catholic Church. Does this surprise you? His humble food choices actually tell us a lot about who he was as a person.
His breakfast was simpler than yours
Most of us start our day with cereal, toast, eggs, or maybe even just coffee. Pope Francis kept his first meal even simpler. He typically began his morning with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. That’s right—no fancy pastries or elaborate spreads. Along with his juice, he enjoyed a traditional Argentine treat called membrillo, which is basically a sweet paste made from quince fruit. While it might sound fancy, it’s actually just a common breakfast food from his home country, similar to how Americans might have peanut butter on toast.
This simple breakfast reflected his personal background and his commitment to a modest lifestyle. The orange juice he drank wasn’t some exotic blend—it was just fresh juice. And instead of indulging in rich pastries or elaborate egg dishes that you might expect a world leader to enjoy, he stuck with this simple morning routine. Even with access to anything he could possibly want to eat, Pope Francis chose to start his day in the most basic way possible.
Lunch straight from the Vatican gardens
When lunchtime rolled around, Pope Francis kept things just as straightforward. His midday meal typically consisted of baked chicken, fresh salad, and some fruit. Nothing fancy, no complicated sauces or preparation methods—just simple, wholesome food. Sometimes he would eat in his private quarters, but other times he did something truly unusual for a world leader: he’d head down to the Vatican cafeteria and eat with the regular employees, just like any other worker on lunch break.
What’s even more interesting is where his food came from. Many of the ingredients for the Pope’s meals were grown right on Vatican property at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence. This was basically the original farm-to-table concept! Fresh vegetables from the garden went straight to his plate. While many of us dream about having our own garden to grow fresh food, the Pope actually lived this reality, eating seasonally and locally before it became trendy.
Dinner with wine but no pasta
For dinner, Pope Francis continued his pattern of simplicity. His evening meal often looked similar to lunch—more baked chicken or sometimes fish like cod, along with vegetables and fruit. He occasionally enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner, which might be the most “fancy” part of his daily diet. But even this was modest—just a single glass, not expensive bottles or rare vintages. For someone from Italy and Argentina, two countries known for their wine cultures, this moderate approach stands out.
Interestingly, Pope Francis had to cut back on one food that many associate with Italy: pasta. His doctors advised him to reduce his carb intake for health reasons. This meant saying goodbye to regular plates of pasta, polenta, and other starchy foods. It’s relatable to many of us who’ve had to change our eating habits as we get older. Even being the Pope doesn’t exempt you from doctor’s orders about watching what you eat!
His favorite snack from Argentina
We all have comfort foods that remind us of home, and Pope Francis was no different. One of his favorite treats was mate, a traditional South American drink that’s similar to tea but with its own unique preparation and cultural significance. Mate is typically shared among friends using a special gourd and metal straw, though the Pope had to adapt and drink it from a regular cup due to health reasons. Still, this daily habit connected him to his roots in Argentina and was one small pleasure he maintained throughout his life.
Another favorite snack was alfajores, which are sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche (a caramel-like spread). Think of them as the Argentine version of Oreos, but with caramel instead of cream. These sweet treats were a rare indulgence for the Pope, who generally stuck to his simple diet. But like all of us, he enjoyed occasional treats that reminded him of home and childhood. These small connections to his past remained important to him even as he led the global Catholic Church.
His weakness for pizza
If there was one food that could tempt Pope Francis away from his usual simple meals, it was pizza. He once told reporters that one of the hardest things about being Pope was not being able to go out for pizza anymore. Can you imagine the Pope walking into your local pizza place and ordering a slice? Before becoming Pope, he could do just that in Argentina or Italy. But after taking on his role as head of the Catholic Church, security concerns made casual outings impossible.
His love for pizza was so well-known that on his birthday one year, someone delivered a 13-foot pizza to the Popemobile! This wasn’t just any pizza either—the Pope preferred traditional Neapolitan-style pizza with simple toppings. His pizza preference shows again how he favored basic, honest food over complicated or showy dishes. Many of us can relate to craving a good pizza after a long day, and it turns out even the Pope felt the same way.
What he ate when traveling to America
When Pope Francis visited the United States, people were curious about what he would eat. Would he maintain his simple diet or enjoy American cuisine? As it turns out, his meals were prepared by famous chef Lidia Bastianich, but they still reflected his preference for straightforward, quality food. His first meal in America included heirloom tomatoes, steamed lobster, and homemade burrata—simple ingredients prepared well, not overly complicated dishes.
For dinner during his American visit, he enjoyed risotto with summer truffles and a traditional Italian dish called bagna cauda, which is a warm dip made with garlic, anchovies, and olive oil for raw vegetables. These special occasion meals were a bit more elaborate than his usual fare but still focused on fresh ingredients and traditional preparations. His eating habits while traveling showed that he was willing to try local dishes but preferred them prepared simply and without excessive fanciness.
Past popes ate very differently
Pope Francis’s simple diet stands in stark contrast to some of his predecessors. Throughout history, many popes enjoyed lavish banquets and fine dining. Some previous popes were known for their love of rich foods and elaborate meals. For example, Pope Benedict XVI, who came from Bavaria, Germany, enjoyed traditional German dishes that tend to be hearty and rich. Pope John Paul II, from Poland, was fond of Polish specialties like pierogi and other Eastern European dishes.
The difference between Pope Francis and earlier popes highlights how much his food choices reflected his personal values. While past popes may have embraced the privilege of their position through their dining habits, Pope Francis deliberately chose simplicity. This wasn’t just about personal preference—it was a statement about his beliefs regarding excess, waste, and connecting with ordinary people. His humble diet became yet another way he demonstrated his commitment to living his values.
The meaning behind his food choices
Pope Francis didn’t just eat simply because he liked plain food. His dietary choices were deeply connected to his broader message about caring for others and the environment. He frequently spoke out against food waste and excessive consumption. By eating modest meals made with local ingredients, he practiced what he preached. When you think about it, his breakfast of juice and quince paste used way less packaging and processing than many of our typical morning meals of packaged cereals or fast-food breakfast sandwiches.
His simple eating habits also helped him stay connected to regular people. By eating foods that were affordable and accessible to most, he maintained a link to the everyday experiences of ordinary Catholics around the world. He even hosted meals for homeless people and made sure they were served with dignity and respect. For Pope Francis, food wasn’t just about sustenance or pleasure—it was about living out his values of simplicity, sustainability, and solidarity with people from all walks of life.
Next time you sit down for a simple meal of chicken and vegetables, remember that you’re eating just like Pope Francis did. His remarkable food choices show that true leadership isn’t about luxury or excess but about making everyday decisions that align with your deepest values. From his morning orange juice to his occasional slice of pizza, every bite the Pope took reflected who he truly was—a man committed to humility, simplicity, and connecting with people from all walks of life.
