He didn't want to be Pope.

At least that's what he said on Friday ... when Pope Francis answered a light-hearted round of Q and A from children gathered at the Vatican.

(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) YOUNG CHILD TERESA SAYING:

"Francesco did you want to be pope?"

(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:

"Do you know what it means if someone doesn't love themselves? Someone who wants to be pope doesn't really like themselves. God wouldn't bless that. I did not want to be pope. "

And there was another glimpse into the Pontiff's heart.

This girl asked why he refused to live in the luxurious papal apartments, choosing instead a simple hotel-like residence.

(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:

"I need to live amongst people. If I lived on my own, a little bit isolated it wouldn't be good for me. You know a professor asked me this question. "Why don't you go and live there?" And I replied "Listen to me professor, for psychiatric reasons."