Chefs Serve Pope Francis Simple & Healthy Meals During New York Visit

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Pope Francis was on a healthy diet during his time in New York.

Celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich and restaurateur Angelo Vivolo were once again in charge of preparing and serving all the meals for the pope during his 40-hour stay in the Big Apple, a job they also handled during Pope Benedict's visit in 2008.

They say Francis' five-meal New York menu took its cue from the pontiff's simple lifestyle and healthy diet in Rome. His doctor reportedly is trying to get him to lose 15 pounds.

Highlights included Thursday's appetizer, a juicy salad of heirloom tomatoes with steamed lobster and house-made burrata cheese.

Friday's menu included homemade ravioli filled with shredded pears and pecorino cheese, and a main course of roasted striped bass.

For breakfast on Friday and Saturday, the pope was reportedly served assorted house-baked goods, jams, fruit, yogurt, frittata, crepes and freshly squeezed juices.

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