Farewell to a humble pope: Remembering Francis's modest life
Known for his humble lifestyle, Pope Francis formally renounced a salary of approximately $32,000 per month. Although he did not accumulate personal wealth, he had access to significant resources.
What you need to know
- Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at 1:35 AM ET.
- Decision to forgo salary: Shortly after beginning his pontificate in 2013, Francis renounced his entitled salary, which was about $32,000 per month.
- Expenses covered by the Vatican: Costs associated with papal service, such as living expenses, medical care, and travel, were covered by the Vatican, estimated at around $100,000 annually.
Pope Francis was known for avoiding luxuries. He did not use the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican and renounced the golden papal ring. As emphasized by Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, coadjutor archpriest of the basilica, the pope desired a simple grave to reflect his modesty and attachment to his homeland. Therefore, it will be made from Ligurian stone, which is a tribute to his ancestors from Piedmont and Liguria.
The Pope renounced his salary
Immediately after assuming the pontificate in 2013, Francis decided to give up his salary, aligning with his Jesuit values. According to estimates by the "Economic Times," the pope's salary would have been approximately $32,000 per month. The Vatican confirmed that Jorge Mario Bergoglio, even before becoming pope, never accepted money from the Church.
All expenses related to papal service were covered by the Vatican. Data from the American "The Catholic Talk Show" indicated they were estimated at around $100,000 annually.
Francis also had access to Vatican assets, whose net worth was approximately $16 million. These assets, as reported by the deon.pl service, included, among others, five cars and other resources related to fulfilling the role of the head of the Church.
Francis did not accumulate personal wealth, gave up luxury cars, and regularly allocated church funds for charitable purposes.
