Pope Francis says he never wanted to be pope

Pope Francis, who has railed against "careerism" in the Catholic Church since being elected as its leader three months ago, has said he never wanted to be pope.

Popes are appointed by cardinals in a highly-secretive process, reports News.com.au.

The Argentine-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, formerly the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, while conversing with students from Jesuit schools, said he did not want to be pope. A person who wants to be pope does not love himself, he said.

He also explained to students why he had refused the large apartment normally reserved for popes, preferring to stay in the Vatican guest house instead. Francis said he needs to live among people, and that it wouldn't be good for him if he lived alone or isolated.

At the start of the meeting, the Pope said he did not want to read the five-page speech he had prepared because it was "a little boring," and told students he would make "a little summary" and then take questions from them.