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Pope Francis did not visit Argentina during his 12-year papacy. Despite this established divergence with his native country, what always generated a kind of devotion in him was Argentinean gastronomy. A sentiment that would be immortalised in cookbooks such as ‘The Vatican Cookbook’. In his memory, here are some of Pope Francis’ favourite foods in Argentina and Italy.
As a fan of Argentinian food, empanadas were a must on his divine menu. In ‘Eating with Pope Francis’, it is noted that ‘as a good Argentinian, he never failed to buy empanadas, characteristic packages with meat, or with cheese, ham and other fillings’.
In ‘The Vatican Cookbook’, it is shown that Argentinian empanadas are made with flour-based dough, like puff pastry, and filled, usually with sirloin steak. As for the dessert, author Alborghetti reveals that Pope Francis was a fan of the ‘delicious sweets of [his] grandmother Rosa and his mother Regina Maria, such as the chocolate cakes, a true triumph of delight.’ Along with cake, the Pope was also a fan of alfajores, the divine cookbook says.
Italian dishes
Despite growing up in Argentina, Pope Francis’ parents were Italian, so he also had a love of Italian cuisine. In this sense, in the culinary work, the author refers to the ‘bagna cauda’ sauce traditionally made with olive oil, butter, garlic, anchovies and herbs.
Another Italian dish Pope Francis loved to share was, of course, pizza. According to The Vatican Cookbook, the Pope once said: ‘If I had only one wish, what would it be? The only thing I would like is to go out one day, unrecognised, and go to a pizzeria and eat pizza’. Amen.