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Passport Fit for a Pope: Francis Renews I.D. As Regular Argentine

<p>Pope Francis asked his birth country, Argentina, to renew his passport and identification card.</p>
Image: The new passport of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis
The new passport of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis, at the Argentine Consulate in Rome, Italy, Friday, Feb. 14, 2014. Argentina’s ambassador to the Holy See, Juan Pablo Cafiero said he and his deputy went to the Pope’s hotel in the Vatican gardens last Friday to take Francis’ photo and digital fingerprints because the Pope’s passport was due to expire and he wanted to renew it.Argentine Interior Ministry / AP
/ Source: Reuters

Pope Francis wants to travel the world as a regular Argentine and not a privileged citizen of the Vatican City microstate, Argentina said on Monday.

The head of the Catholic Church and former bishop of Buenos Aires has asked his birth country to renew his passport and identification card, the country's interior and transportation ministry said.

"Francis specifically asked not to enjoy any privileges so his new identification card and passport have been processed through the usual administrative channels," Minister Florencio Randazzo said.

Image: Pope Francis' new national identification card
Pope Francis' new national identification card. Argentina’s ambassador to the Holy See, Juan Pablo Cafiero said he and his deputy went to the Pope’s hotel in the Vatican gardens last Friday to take Francis’ photo and digital fingerprints.Argentine Interior Ministry / Reuters

"In coming days, he will receive his passport in the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican, where he has stated he is a resident," Randazzo said.

Francis already holds a passport issued by the Vatican, Randazzo said.