Pope Francis told nuns on Wednesday to live up to their titles - that is as spiritual mothers - and not focus on their state of life which is as old maids.

He made the remarks during an audience with about 800 sisters who are attending the International Union of Superior General assembly, a gathering of leaders of women's religious orders from 75 nations.

His comments were made to address the problem of religious people viewing their vocation as a career, particularly manifested among the bureaucrats in Vatican. At the same time, the pontiff warned the nuns not to used their calling for personal ambitions since if they do so, they do more harm to the church.

Upon his election, local nuns have expressed a desire that Pope Francis would be open to dialogues..

Giving unconventional advice has been the hallmark of the papacy of the former Buenos Aires Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio since he was elected pope in March.

He is known for taking public transportation, opting for more modest accommodations rather than live in an archbishop's palace, a giving a Swiss guard bread, water and a chair.

Pope Francis continued the tradition by getting out of his open popemobile to mingle with the Vatican Square crowd, shaking hands, kissing the disabled pilgrims and blowing an occasional kiss.

Other unconventional things he is expected to do in his first international trip as leader of the Roman Catholic Church is to visit slums, prisons and hospitals with AIDS patients. The pope is traveling in July to Brazil mainly to preside over the World Youth Day celebration in Rio de Janeiro.

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