Long before Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis, he was simply a young man in Buenos Aires—and, according to one woman, a boy in love.
Following his death on April 21, 2025, at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City, tributes poured in for the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Known for his humility and devotion to the marginalized, Pope Francis’ passing prompted a global reflection on his extraordinary life. But as many remembered his papacy, some turned their attention to the quieter chapters of his past—including the only woman ever romantically linked to him.
Before embracing his religious calling, the future pope reportedly proposed to a girl from his neighborhood. When she declined, he made a life-altering decision: to enter the priesthood.
That girl, now an elderly woman named Amalia Damonte, shared her story in a 2013 interview. A neighbor of Bergoglio’s in the Flores district of Buenos Aires, Amalia said their connection began when they were just 12. One day, Jorge gave her a letter with a drawing of a white house with a red roof. Inside, it read: “This is what I’ll buy when we marry.”
Her parents didn’t take it lightly. Amalia recalled that her mother scolded her and her father punished her. They separated the two immediately. “My parents did everything they could to keep us apart,” she said. Though she saw him once more, she warned him to stay away to avoid her father’s anger.
Years later, Amalia married and moved on, never reconnecting with Bergoglio. But she was stunned when she saw him on television in 2013, newly elected as Pope Francis. “I froze,” she admitted. “I couldn’t believe Jorge had become the Pope.”
Although she rejected the idea of a romantic relationship—saying she didn’t understand love until she was older—she described him as kind, honorable, and deeply down-to-earth. While Argentine media dubbed her the “Pope’s Girlfriend,” Amalia insisted she was simply part of his past.
Pope Francis’ sister, María Elena Bergoglio, once revealed that her brother never aspired to become pope. “He used to say, ‘No, please no,’” she shared. Still, she believed his rise to the papacy was a blessing and that his first public appearance radiated peace.
His Final Years and Health Battles
By 2025, the Pope had endured a series of serious health issues. On February 14, he was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital with breathing problems and was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. Blood transfusions and oxygen therapy followed, along with treatment for mild kidney failure.
Though his condition was grave, he remained alert and even celebrated Mass from his hospital bed. Doctors described him as “fragile,” noting his fluctuating health and history of gastrointestinal issues, which included surgeries in 2021 and 2023.
Despite these setbacks, Pope Francis maintained his usual grace. He wrote thank-you messages to the many who prayed for him, especially moved by letters and drawings from children. His spirits remained high, even as the Vatican quietly began preparations for the worst.
A Humble Final Request
True to his character, Pope Francis broke tradition in death just as he had in life. Instead of requesting burial beneath St. Peter’s Basilica like most popes, he asked to be laid to rest in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
In a 2023 interview with Mexican outlet N+, he confirmed that he had arranged the details with Archbishop Diego Ravelli. “We simplified them quite a bit,” he said. “I’ll premiere the new ritual.”
St. Mary Major held special meaning for him. During his years as cardinal, he visited the church frequently on Sunday mornings while in Rome. The basilica houses Salus Populi Romani, a cherished icon of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, before which he often prayed.
Only six popes have been buried there—the last being Pope Clement IX in 1669—making Francis’ choice both rare and deeply personal.
