The book, which was six years in the making, vividly recreates Francis’ childhood in Buenos Aires but offers few new insights into his papacy.

Pope Francis was born in 1936, and grew up in Buenos Aires, in the barrio of Flores, a simple neighbourhood. After spells working in a sock factory, Francis became a Jesuit novice in 1958; he was ordained in 1969,

An introspective Pope Francis has divulged some of the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the secret 2013 conclave that elected him pope and the resistance he has encountered ever since, in his autobiography being released Tuesday that also doubles down on some of his more controversial decisions as pontiff.