Down-to-earth holy leader: 12 reasons why Pope Francis is cool

The leader of the worldwide Catholic Church isn’t just known for the usual papal expressions of love, kindness and faith. Pope Francis has also touched millions with his off-script pronouncements and deeds, as well as his 'normal' behavior.

1. Having once proclaimed the internet a "gift from God," the Pope goes online quite often himself. Spreading the gospel, sharing advice and reacting to world news through social media - just as so many of us like to do - he posts a lot, having millions of followers on Twitter.Lord, thank you!

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 31, 2014

2. The pontiff, who is the first of his chosen name, Francis, in the entire history of papacy in the Catholic Church, has also broke historic ground by being part of a... selfie!

How I wish I could also take selfie with Pope Francis..!! :) #PopeFrancisPH #PopeTYSM pic.twitter.com/0TcCw54Ri7
— ABbbeeeee. (@CailMMalik_008) January 15, 2015

Several selfies.

I want to take a selfie w/ Pope Francis too #PapalVisitPH pic.twitter.com/wSvRR2kNtF
— dawn ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ (@TOKKIXX1) January 15, 2015

“@gmanews: LOOK: Lucky girl #BlessedByThePope with selfie http://t.co/mqFS3uRXOk " ❤ pic.twitter.com/j3dOVCdwaB”wish i have one too
— may (@kxzzhmxy) January 18, 2015

3. Pope Francis loves the four-legged friends as much as many of us, and has reportedly promised that your favorite pooch will have a spot in heaven, along with all other animals. Even more so, he made the "all dogs go to heaven" statement to comfort a little boy mourning the loss of his dog, according to Italian media reports.

4. Having commented that God is not "a magician with a magic wand," the Pope acknowledged that both the Big Bang and evolution happened. The Big Bang theory did not contradict the existence of God, but required it, he said while delivering a speech at a religious meeting.

5. Pope Francis has also stated that he would welcome alien life forms into the open arms of the Catholic Church, should they be willing to convert. Having put forward his official stance on Martians - among other intergalactic travelers, it was the Italian mafia that got "excommunicated" by the church head.

6. While calling for people to practice "responsible parenting," the Pope is kind and welcoming to younger believers. He gave two lucky 11-year-olds a ride through St. Peter's Square on his popemobile. Although the two Italian boys eagerly hopped aboard the vehicle, the Pope himself is not so excited about his exclusive way of transportation.

7. In stark contrast to his predecessor Pope Benedict, who rode around in the bulletproof popemobile, Pope Francis has always preferred to use open-top cars to engage with ordinary people, saying that the fancy one reminds him of a “sardine can.”

@Pontifex Pope Francis #Defends #Amazon And #Environment In #Brazil http://t.co/wNEHK9m3D3 #Indigenous pic.twitter.com/F16e2VWGQv
— Ahki_Portal (@ahkica) July 29, 2013

8. Another time he reportedly exchanged skullcaps with students, putting on the one offered to him and giving his own to two Americans studying in Rome. While in Brazil, the Pope swapped his traditional skullcap for a head piece of indigenous people from the Amazon, meeting with the natives and encouraging the area to be better protected.

9. Really embracing equality and drawing instant applause from an audience in the Philippines, Pope Francis has called on men to listen to women - as they have “much to tell us." Women are able to ask questions that men can’t grasp, he said. Under his leadership, the Vatican has also considered "welcoming gifts and qualities of gays," and has apologized for the sexual abuse of children by Catholic clerics, with Pope Francis personally meeting the victims of abuse - the first time a pope has met such a group inside the Vatican.

10. Having once revealed to church-goers that there was a time when he was a bouncer at a nightclub in his native Argentina, Pope Francis has also sold his 'casual cool' belongings for a good cause. In February 2014, his Harley-Davidson motorcycle was auctioned off for $327,000, with the money donated to a soup kitchen serving homeless in Rome. Rocking the image, the pontiff has also graced the cover of a Rolling Stone issue, with an editor having been welcomed inside the Vatican to report on Francis' break from tradition.

Pope Francis looks soo cool on the cover of Rolling Stone! @Pontifex_es ⛪️ pic.twitter.com/5WmXgCUNHh
— Cristina ♡ (@ilVoloversx) February 6, 2014

11. Refusing to move into papal palace and known for his simple lifestyle, the humble persona of Pope Francis has become a real "People's Pope." Speculation has been raised that he has been venturing out of the Vatican under the cover of the night, disguised as a priest and meeting with the homeless.

12. But sometimes he has moments for himself - and that is not only to pray, but to support his favorite football team. Coming from the homeland of many football stars, the Pope is a huge fan, cheering for Argentina's San Lorenzo club.