Vatican, LOGIC.co.id – Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the Head of State of the Vatican, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. Throughout his life, the Holy Father was known for his commitment to simplicity and his rejection of luxury, even after assuming the papacy in 2013.
His decision to live a simple life was evident when he declined to reside in the luxurious apartments at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. Instead, Pope Francis chose to stay in a modest room at Casa Santa Marta, a guesthouse within the Vatican complex, which also became the place where his body lay in repose before being moved to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Pope's Wealth: Salary Donations and the Controversy Over Inheritance Value
Reports from international media state that Pope Francis' personal wealth amounted to 16 million pounds or approximately 21.44 million USD. This figure comes from the accumulation of assets such as a house, car, and other personal belongings.
However, despite officially receiving an annual salary of 384,000 pounds, roughly 514,520 USD, Pope Francis reportedly never accepted this salary. He chose to donate his entire earnings to various charitable funds and trusts.
His living expenses—including food, clothing, housing, and travel—have been covered by the Vatican State.
That said, other sources have stated that Pope Francis' personal wealth is actually quite minimal. It is even mentioned that the fortune he left behind amounted to only around 100 pounds, or roughly 134 USD.
Jesuit Lifestyle and Rejection of Luxury
Pope Francis comes from the Jesuit order, which is known for its vow of poverty and total service to Christ. This vow forms the foundation of his commitment to living a simple life.
One symbolic rejection of luxury was his decision not to wear the traditional gold ring typically used by previous Popes. Instead, he chose a much simpler and more affordable gold-plated ring.
Vatican's Wealth is Not the Same as Pope's Wealth
It is important to understand that Pope Francis' personal wealth should not be equated with the wealth of the Vatican State. According to Time magazine, the Vatican's total assets are estimated to be between 10 and 15 billion USD.
However, these state assets are managed institutionally and are not considered the personal property of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.