Francis: ‘I haven’t watched television since 1990 after making promise to Our Lady’

Pope Francis has said that he has not watched television since 1990 after making a promise to the Virgin Mary.

In an interview with Argentinian newspaper La Voz del Pueblo, the Pope said that he had decided that “(TV) was not for me”.

“I have not watched TV since 1990. It’s a promise that I made the Virgin of Carmen [Our Lady of Mount Carmel] on the night of 15 July 1990,” he said.

Since he made the decision he has not even watched televised football matches featuring his favourite team, San Lorenzo. He said that he relies on the Swiss Guard to keep him informed of their results.

Pope Francis also revealed that he never goes on the internet, reads one newspaper, Italian daily La Repubblica, and discussed his daily routine which involves getting up at 4am, having a siesta in the afternoon and going to bed at 9pm, where he reads for an hour before going to sleep.

When asked what he missed most about his previous life, the Pope said: “To go outside. That much I long for – the tranquility of walking though the streets, or to go to a pizzeria to eat a good pizza.”

The interviewer suggested the Pontiff could have pizza delivered to the Vatican, but the Pope said, “Take-away is not the same. You have to go there.”