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To some he is God’s representative on Earth. To others he’s a healer of the sick and spiritual guide for Christians everywhere. And to a few he’s a Harley Davidson riding rebel who swears in Italian and takes selfies.
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He’s only been in the Vatican for a year, but Pope Francis has already taken on a number of different guises.
In the space of 12 months, Pope Francis has assembled his own G8 and overhauled the Congregation for Bishops, but it is the lighter moments that stick in the memories of many.
There was the Harley Davidson he auctioned, the selfie he took with youngsters, the Rolling Stone front cover, the SuperPoper graffiti and even a meeting with his own image in chocolate form.
In pictures: 'The many popes of Pope Francis'
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Francis seemed determined to show he was a pope of the people, even getting his own passport so that he could travel as a regular civilian, but in spite of the knowing PR coups, is unhappy with the media coverage he has received.
"Depicting the pope as a sort of superman, a sort of star, is offensive to me," he said recently.
"The pope is a man who laughs, cries, sleeps well and has friends like everyone else; a normal person."
He might wish for a less viral newsworthy second year then, though don't be surprised if we see a pope Reddit AMA and Between Two Ferns interview before 2014 is out.
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