It’s not a prank: ‘I really am Pope Francis’

Pope Francis is known for his simple and humble ways. He cooks his own food, rides the bus to work and lives in a simple flat. People still have to get used to Francis’ unassuming ways, particularly the receptionist at the Vatican who refused to believe that it was really Francis who was calling him up.

According to British tabloid Daily Mail, Pope Francis called a Vatican receptionist directly, trying to contact Adolfo Nicolas, the superior general of his old Jesuit order.

But the disbelieving receptionist, identified as Andreas, thinking the call was a prank, shot back at the pope, “Oh, yes? And I’m Napoleon.”

Andreas tried to get a genuine response from the caller he thought to be a hoaxer, asking, “Who is it,” the Daily Mail reported.

He responded : “I really am Pope Francis. Do not worry, Andreas, just connect me with Father General, I would like to thank him for the charming letter.”

Andreas apologized when he realized his mistake.

The Vatican explained that what Andreas had done was completely understandable because popes usually don’t make their own calls. An official usually calls a secretary who places the call.

“The receptionist was extremely distraught but I think the new pope has a good sense of humor and will laugh it off,” they added.

Pope Francis has endeared himself to a lot of people because of his incredible humility. He skipped the papal limo and chose instead to ride the bus with the cardinals during his first day as pope. And on his way to the mass that established him as head of the 1.2 billion Catholics all over the world, the pope frequently got out of his car to greet the crowds and kiss babies.

The low-profile Pope Francis even joked to cardinals gathered at his first dinner after his election, “May God forgive you” for choosing him as pope.

The comment, as New York’s Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan later described it, drew hearty laughs and brought the house down.