Pope Francis wants to travel the world as a regular Argentine and not in his official capacity as a citizen of the Vatican City microstate, Argentina said.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church and former bishop of Buenos Aires has asked his birth country to renew his passport and identification card, the country's interior and transportation ministry said.

Francis has opted to live in the smaller Vatican guest house instead of the official papal apartments, part of the humble lifestyle he has embraced since assuming the papacy last year.

Argentina's government, which enjoys drawing attention to the popular new pope's roots, released pictures of Francis' new identification card on Monday.

Francis already holds a passport issued by the Vatican, Randazzo said.

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