Pope Francis And Beer: A Curious Combination

Pope Francis is known for his simple lifestyle and culinary habits, which include a preference for frugal, healthy meals. While there are no official restrictions on the Papal diet, it is unknown whether Pope Francis drinks beer. Before he became Pope, he was known to drink the occasional glass of wine, and beer was never mentioned. However, as Pope, he has received beer as gifts from various heads of state, and he has expressed appreciation for a good espresso.

Pope Francis's diet

The Pope's diet is largely dictated by where he is in the world. For example, when visiting New York City in 2015, he dined at an Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side, though he passed on the offered wines. In keeping with his philosophy, as set out in Laudato Si, the Pope's meals are fresh and home-grown. The ingredients are sourced from the Pope's summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, which includes 62 acres of farmland.

Pope Francis has rarely, if ever, visited the Roman restaurants frequented by cardinals and bishops. He has also been advised by doctors to cut down on his pasta intake, as he has gained weight since taking office, which is causing his sciatica to flare up. He has a penchant for alfajores, a South American treat consisting of two round cookies pressed onto sweet fillings and often covered in powdered sugar, grated coconut, or chocolate.

The Pope wakes up at 4:30 a.m. and prays for two hours before meditating and preparing his morning homily. After mass, he meets with some of his followers before breakfast in the hotel dining room at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, where he lives. His breakfast is in keeping with his diet—freshly squeezed orange juice and membrillo, a gelatinous pasta made of quince that is popular in his native Argentina.

While there are no official restrictions on the Papal diet, Pope Francis's eating times are strict due to his busy schedule. He has also been known to wander down to the Vatican staff canteen to have lunch with staff members, where he might eat pasta, cod, or grilled tomatoes.

Pope Francis's predecessor and beer

Pope Francis's predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, was known for his love of beer. Pope Benedict XVI was born in Bavaria, Germany, and was ordained as a priest in his native region in 1951. Bavaria is the region in Germany where modern beer was born. During his papacy, several pictures of him with a beer stein in hand appeared in news reports. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his 88th birthday by drinking a pint in the Vatican gardens. On his 90th birthday, he was visited by the Bavarian prime minister, who brought him a basket of traditional German gifts, including beer.

Pope Benedict XVI was a major figure in the Vatican before he was elected pope in 2005. He was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising and created a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1977. He was also appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, one of the most important departments of the Roman Curia, in 1981. Before becoming pope, he was known for his prolific writings defending traditional Catholic doctrine, values, and liturgy.

Pope Benedict XVI resigned from his position as pope in 2013, citing a "lack of strength of mind and body" due to his advanced age. He was succeeded by Pope Francis, who was elected on 13 March 2013.

Pope Francis's preference for wine

Pope Francis has expressed a preference for wine over other alcoholic drinks. In 2017, he stated that "wine is necessary for the celebration" and that "water is needed to live, but wine expresses the abundance of the banquet and joy of the celebration". He has also referred to wine as "a gift from God" and "a true source of joy" for its consumers.

These comments were made during a private audience with Italian winemakers at the Vatican, where he joked, "This seems like a drunk pope". Pope Francis encouraged winemakers to treat their workers, the environment, and drinking habits with respect. He emphasised the importance of drinking in moderation, stating that wine should be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The Pope's endorsement of wine is not surprising, given its integral role in the Catholic mass and the historical roots of sacramental wine in the Church. Additionally, the Vatican City has been found to consume more wine per capita than any other country.

While Pope Francis has been gifted beer by various heads of state, there is no specific mention of him drinking it. Before ascending to the papacy, he led a relatively austere life as a Jesuit, avoiding eating out and preferring to cook for himself. He was known to drink the occasional glass of wine, but beer was not mentioned.

Pope Francis's simple lifestyle

Pope Francis is known for his simple lifestyle and commitment to humility. As a Jesuit, he led a relatively austere life before becoming pope, without indulging in excess. He avoided eating out at restaurants, preferring to cook simple meals for himself, such as baked skinless chicken and salads.

Even after becoming Pope, Francis continued to live simply. He chose to reside in the Vatican guest house instead of the official papal residence and often travelled by bus instead of being driven in the papal car. He also carried his own bags when travelling and preferred to use public transportation.

As a cardinal, Pope Francis was known for his personal humility, doctrinal conservatism, and commitment to social justice. He lived in a small apartment rather than the elegant bishop's residence and cooked his own meals, which enhanced his reputation for humility. He also limited his time in Rome to brief visits.

Pope Francis's overriding image is built around his leaning toward austerity. The motto chosen for his archdiocese is "Miserando Atque Eligendo," or "Lowly but Chosen." He has been noted for his emphasis on God's mercy, international visibility as pope, concern for the poor, and commitment to interreligious dialogue.

Beer and the Catholic Church

Catholic monks were also the first to discover that adding hops to the recipe acted as a preservative, allowing beer to be kept in kegs and shipped to other communities. Beer was often safer to drink than water, especially during the many plagues that struck Europe during the Middle Ages. In fact, several saints of the Catholic Church are credited with saving lives by offering beer instead of water during times of plague.

St. Arnold of Metz, the patron saint of brewers, once blessed a kettle of beer to convince the people of his city to drink beer instead of water during a plague, saving many lives. St. Brigid of Kildare, one of the patron saints of Ireland, is said to have miraculously quenched the thirst of lepers by turning water into beer.

Beer has also been used as a means of evangelization within the Catholic Church. The story is told of St. Dominic, who, in the year 1203, stayed at an inn in Toulouse, France, and engaged in theological debate with the innkeeper, who followed the Albigensian heresy. Through their conversation, Dominic convinced the innkeeper to return to the Catholic faith. It is believed that this encounter planted the seeds for the formation of the Dominicans in 1216.

In more recent times, the Catholic Church has embraced "beer evangelization" as a way to reach out to young adults and draw them closer to Jesus and the Church. Programs like Theology on Tap and Brewing the Faith create spaces for young adults to socialize and discuss aspects of the Catholic faith over a beer. The Catholic Beer Club, or CBC, takes a more informal approach, focusing on providing "holy leisure" and building friendships first and foremost, with evangelization following organically as community is formed.

So, while it is unclear whether Pope Francis himself enjoys a beer, the Catholic Church has certainly had a long and complex relationship with the beverage, seeing it as a means of community-building, evangelization, and even saving lives.

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