MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – It is no secret that Pope Francis, since being chosen leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has chosen a life of simplicity, giving up the papal limousine in favor of an old, used Fiat and opting to live in an apartment in the Vatican where he dines with other clergy and seminarians.

Continuing this simple living, the Pope tonight refused the Kobe beef served for his first dinner at the Apostolic Nunciature where he will be staying during his Manila visit.

Instead, he asked for a piece of balut, that lowly but delicious boiled duck embryo peddled in the streets of the metropolis and a favorite food of poor people.

“I came here in solidarity with the poor and disadvantaged, so I want to eat as they eat,” the Pope said in Latin.

The pope apparently liked it so much, he asked for a second serving.

Viva il Papa! Long Live the Balut!