I Didn't Want to Be Pope': Pope Francis Issues Stunning Statement

VATICAN CITY (TheBlaze/AP) -- Pope Francis has revealed that he never wanted to be pope and that he's living in the Vatican hotel for his "psychiatric" health.

Francis got very personal Friday as he met with thousands of children from Jesuit schools across Italy and Albania.

Pope Francis acknowledges the crowd as he arrives for a meeting with Jesuit school students on June 7, 2013 at the Vatican. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Answering their questions one by one, Francis told them the decision to become a priest had been difficult for him and that he had suffered "moments of interior darkness" when "you feel dry, without interior joy."

But he said he went ahead because he loved Christ. When it came to being pontiff, too, he had similar emotions.

Pope Francis presides his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, June 5, 2013. Credit: AP

One of the most touching moments came when Teresa, a bright-eyed redhead no more than six, asked Francis flat out if he had wanted to be pope.

After joking around, Francis replied: "I didn't want to be pope."

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