A short history of Popes sneaking out of the Vatican

Pope Francis may or may not be sneaking out at night to tend to the poor. But he wouldn't be the first to do so.

Pope Francis
(Image credit: (Franco Origlia/Getty Images))

The legend of Pope Francis seems to grow with each new news cycle.

This week, rumors started flying following an interview in which Vatican almoner Archbishop Konrad Krajewski — the pope's personal ambassador to the poor and downtrodden — said of his boss that "when I say to him 'I'm going out into the city this evening', there's the constant risk that he will come with me." When asked directly if the pope actually joined him sometimes, the Polish archbishop got coy, saying only, "Next question, please."

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.