Pope Francis: I haven't watched TV for 25 years

Pope Francis has not watched television since 1990, he told an Argentinian newspaper on Monday.

In an interview reported by the Daily Telegraph, Francis told La Voz del Pueblo that he had decided "it was not for me".

He has not even watched televised matches of his football team, San Lorenzo, relying on his Swiss Guards to tell him whether they win or lose.

In another revelation, he said he only reads one newspaper, the left-of-centre La Repubblica, implying that he prefers it to the official Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano.

Asked what he missed most about his old life, he said that he used to enjoy walking out and ordering a pizza. When the newspaper suggested he could have one sent in, he said: "Yes, but it's not the same. The nice thing is to go to there, to the pizzeria.

"I've always been a keen walker. When I was a cardinal [in Buenos Aires] I used to love walking the streets".

He also revealed that he sleeps very well but rises early, going to bed at around 9pm and reading for an hour and getting up at 4am. He has a siesta during the day.

related articles
Pope Francis makes me want to go back to church, says Castro
Pope Francis makes me want to go back to church, says Castro

Pope Francis makes me want to go back to church, says Castro

Obama and the Catholic Church: How Pope Francis has changed the conversation
Obama and the Catholic Church: How Pope Francis has changed the conversation

Obama and the Catholic Church: How Pope Francis has changed the conversation

Pope calls Palestinian leader Abbas \'angel of peace\'
Pope calls Palestinian leader Abbas 'angel of peace'

Pope calls Palestinian leader Abbas 'angel of peace'

News
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.

The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 

Today in the UK we celebrate Christmas and the period around it with many familiar traditions and activities. There is an understandable assumption that we have always done things this way. However, celebrating Christmas has a long and complex history and things change over time. 

Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country
Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country

The cardinal has spoken out against the excesses of the Maduro government.