David Geisser, 24, who joined the elite Vatican security corps only a month ago, released his book, titled "Buon Appetito", this week.

The cookbook includes recipes for Francis' favourite dishes, such as empanadas; roast sirloin, known as "colita de cuadril"; and "dulce de leche", a milk-based Argentinian dessert that began appearing on Vatican dining tables last year.

But it also features one of St John Paul II's favourite dishes, Polish pierogi, or stuffed dumplings, and Bavarian delicacies favoured by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Recipes favoured by the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, include gnocchi Vatican-style.

The prefect of the papal household, Msgr Georg Gaenswein, likes veal saltimbocca alla Romana.

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Cafod, which is the Official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales, is preparing to launch the cookbook titled "Friday Suppers".

Proceeds from the book will help Cafod to support people living in poverty.

The cookbook, which contains 40 meat-free recipes, was written by Pauline Curran, who is a former recipe tester for UK TV host and cooking writer Delia Smith.

The latter has given the cookbook a hearty endorsement.

"When Pauline opened the boot of her car and nonchalantly unloaded masses of the most delicious food for one of our parish parties, I recognised instantly that she had a very special talent," said the celebrity recipe writer.

"She has a deep faith and like many of us is concerned that so many people in the world do not have enough to eat."

The recipes in Friday Suppers include "Thai salmon with noodles" and "Spanish tuna salad with peppers, olives and artichokes".

A children's section includes recipes for "sweetcorn fritters" and "eggs en cocotte".

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