Vatican City: The Roman Catholic Church has lost one of its most loved and humble leaders. Pope Francis, the first Pope from Latin America, passed away at 7:35 AM (Rome time) on Monday morning. He was 88 years old and had been ill for the past few months, struggling with pneumonia.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican Camerlengo, confirmed the news. In his words, “Pope Francis dedicated his entire life to God and the Church. He inspired people to live with courage and love.”
📅 A Quick Look at Pope Francis’s Life
- Born: 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Real Name: Jorge Mario Bergoglio
- Became Pope: 13 March 2013
- Died: 7:35 AM, Monday, at Vatican City
He was the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, also known as the Bishop of Rome and Head of Vatican State.
What made Pope Francis different was that he was the first Pope from Latin America and the first non-European Pope in over 1,200 years.
🙏 Last Public Appearance on Easter Sunday
Just a day before his death, Pope Francis was seen at St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, where he greeted a large crowd and shared Easter wishes. Though his voice sounded powerful, he did not participate in the full Easter prayers and had handed over the prayer duties to retired Cardinal Angelo Comastri.
The public had felt a sense of relief seeing him in good spirits. But the very next day, the news of his death came as a shock worldwide.
💼 Did Pope Francis Receive Salary as the Head of the Church?
Interestingly, Pope Francis never accepted any salary from the Church. Unlike earlier Popes who were paid a monthly income (estimated around $32,000 or ₹27 lakh), Pope Francis donated the entire amount either to the Church, a trust, or for charitable causes.
His decision not to take any income is in line with his belief in simple living, influenced by his Jesuit background. Even before becoming the Pope, reports say that he never took any money from the Church during his priesthood.
🏠 How Much Wealth Did He Leave Behind?
Even though Pope Francis did not take a salary, he still had an estimated net worth of around $16 million (approximately ₹137 crore). This included:
- A few personal belongings
- Five cars provided for Papal use
- Other gifts or items that came as part of his position
These were all acquired during his service and not through personal earnings. Most of his life was dedicated to service, charity, and helping the poor.
🚗 Pope Francis Owned 5 Cars – But Rarely Used Them
Pope Francis is known to prefer public transportation and simple cars over luxury vehicles. Despite owning five cars provided by the Vatican for official purposes, he often travelled in a small Fiat or used buses and metro during his time in Argentina.
His car collection was never luxurious, and he repeatedly asked Church officials to avoid fancy cars and live modestly.
🌍 Pope Francis Focused on Reforms and Humanity
During his 12-year leadership, Pope Francis brought several changes to the Church. He focused on:
- Modernising the Church’s image
- Bringing more transparency
- Addressing social issues like poverty, climate change, and refugee support
- Taking strong stances against abuse scandals in the Church
Many of his actions were bold and even faced resistance, but his mission was clear – make the Church more human and relatable to common people.
🏦 What About the Wealth of the Catholic Church?
While Pope Francis himself lived a very simple life, the Catholic Church is extremely wealthy. It owns:
- Large numbers of churches and cathedrals across countries
- Real estate in various cities worldwide
- Art, artifacts, and historical property
- Institutions like schools, hospitals, and universities
However, Pope Francis always distanced himself from this wealth. He constantly spoke about helping the needy and not being attached to material things.
👑 How Is the Next Pope Chosen?
With the death of Pope Francis, the process to choose the next Pope has already begun. As per Catholic tradition:
- A group of Cardinals will come together in a conclave
- They will vote secretly, and a two-thirds majority is required
- Once a Pope is elected, white smoke is released from the Sistine Chapel
This process may take days, but until then, no one leads the Church officially.
📖 A Leader Who Lived by Example
Pope Francis’s simple lifestyle was not just words – he walked the talk. From refusing luxury living spaces to choosing plain white clothes instead of golden robes, he wanted to stay close to the people, especially the poor and underprivileged.
Even his critics acknowledged his genuine efforts toward making religion about people and compassion, not politics or wealth.
