Before he became the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Francis was simply Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a boy growing up in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Among the stories from his youth is a charming and often recounted tale involving a girl named Amalia Damonte, his childhood friend and perhaps his first crush.
At the age of 12, young Jorge reportedly told Amalia that he wanted to marry her when they were older.
According to Amalia, he even went as far as to say that if she didn’t accept his love, he would become a priest and never marry.
Amalia declined the proposal, and although the moment passed like any childhood memory, it left a lasting impression.
While this anecdote is often cited as a whimsical reason behind his path to priesthood, the truth is more nuanced.
Pope Francis’s decision to join the seminary and pursue a life of service was driven by a profound spiritual calling that developed over time, not solely because of youthful rejection.
Still, the story of Amalia Damonte remains a touching chapter in the life of Pope Francis, offering a human glimpse into the early experiences of a man whose compassion, humility, and faith would one day lead him to the papacy.
Taofik Adekunle Jimoh
#JAAT
