Pope Francis Told to Cut Back on Pasta After Weight Gain

It looks like even the pope has to diet.

Pope Francis has been ordered to cut back on his pasta consumption in order to improve his health, his doctors told one of Italy’s leading news services.

Francis has been restricted to only two meals of pasta each week, ANSA reported. He has also been advised to walk more in order to shed some pounds, which will take stress off his lower back.

His doctors also told ANSA that the 78-year-old’s weekly schedule stays so packed that even a person half his age would be worn out by it.

During an appearance on “Today,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan had his own advice for the Pope.

“Holy Father, you said you always listen to your cardinals," said Dolan, the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. "Listen to me: Get a new doctor!”

News of Francis' pasta predicament comes after he told Mexican broadcaster Televisa in an interview that he wishes he could go get another carb-heavy food and not get spotted.

"The only thing I'd like to do is to be able to go out one day without anyone recognizing me and go get a pizza," Francis said, laughing.

A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showed that the American public has an overwhelmingly positive view of Francis.

Contact Us