The world is mourning the death of Pope Francis. After days of speculation about his declining health, the Vatican confirmed that he passed away on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88. What started as a case of bronchitis escalated into severe pneumonia, taking with it one of the most impactful religious leaders of our time.
As tributes pour in, so do the stories—some solemn, some tender, and a few that feel straight out of a coming-of-age movie. Like this one: the Pope once made a dramatic promise to a girl he loved as a child.
Yes, Pope Francis had a crush. And not just any crush—an “if-I-can’t-have-you-I’ll-devote-my-life-to-God” kind of crush. This is the story of the woman who (accidentally?) turned a future pope into a priest.
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Pope Francis Love Story: The Vow That Changed Everything
Before he was Pope Francis, he was Jorge Mario Bergoglio—a kid growing up in the Flores neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Born on December 17, 1936, he’d eventually go on to become the 266th pope in history and the first Latin American ever to lead the Catholic Church. But at age 12, he was just a boy in love.
Her name was Amalia Damonte. She lived just a few houses down, and young Jorge was head over heels. So much so, he once told her:
“If I can’t marry you, I’ll become a priest.”
Spoiler: She said no. And yep, he meant it.
Decades later, Amalia told the story in an interview, laughing as she recalled her rejection.
“Luckily for him, I said no,” she joked.
But beneath the humor is a bittersweet memory of first love, family pressure, and the kind of dramatic promise only a tween with a serious God complex could deliver with a straight face.
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Letters, Rejection, and a Slap From Dad
This wasn’t just innocent puppy love—they were writing secret letters, sneaking glances, playing house in their own little bubble. But like in every tragic rom-com, the adults had other ideas.
Amalia’s parents found out. Her father, outraged by the budding romance, gave her a beating for daring to send notes to a boy. The love story ended there—blocked not by divine intervention, but by parental wrath. And with that, Bergoglio’s vow kicked in.
Now, to be clear, his decision to become a priest was probably shaped by more than heartbreak and teenage drama. But the fact remains: he said he’d become a priest if he couldn’t marry Amalia. And he kept that promise.
See also: Beloved Pope Francis Dies At 88: Cause of Death and His Heavy Health Complications
Not Your Average Pope
Pope Francis was never the traditional kind. He broke rules, challenged the Church from within, and spent his papacy putting the marginalized at the center. Even in death, he refused the usual opulence. Before he passed, he rewrote his own funeral rites—ditching centuries of pomp in favor of simplicity and coherence with what he always preached: humility over spectacle.
His passing has shaken millions—believers and skeptics alike—because beyond his religious role, Francis was a leader who dared to question power. He confronted abuse scandals head-on, spoke fiercely about inequality and climate justice, and never lost sight of his roots.
And maybe, just maybe, none of that would’ve happened if Amalia had said yes.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Nayely Aguilera in Cultura Colectiva.
