When Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, the world mourned a spiritual leader who radically redefined the papacy with his humility, simplicity, and commitment to social justice. Yet, unlike most global figures of influence, Pope Francis died with a personal net worth of just $100.
His decision to forgo salary and material wealth was not symbolic—it was deeply rooted in his Jesuit vows of poverty and a conscious choice to embody the teachings he preached. Below, we explore Pope Francis’ financial life, how he lived, and what the Vatican itself is worth.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Date of Birth | December 17, 1936 |
| Date of Death | April 21, 2025 (Age 88) |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Position | Head of the Roman Catholic Church (2013–2025) |
| Net Worth | $100 |
| Residence | Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican City |
| Salary | $0 – voluntarily declined papal salary for 12 years |
| Religious Order | Society of Jesus (Jesuits) |
| Final Cause of Death | Stroke and irreversible heart failure |
What Was Pope Francis’ Net Worth 2025?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Pope Francis had a personal net worth of approximately $100 at the time of his death. He owned no property, accepted no salary, and lived a life devoid of personal luxury.
While the papacy traditionally comes with an annual income, Pope Francis famously declined the €250,000–€300,000 salary (approx. $290,000 annually) allotted to his role.
Had he accepted it, his cumulative earnings over 12 years as pontiff would have exceeded $3.4 million. Instead, he chose to live modestly, redirecting resources to charitable causes and Church initiatives.
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announcing the pope’s death (BBC).
The Vatican’s Wealth
Though Pope Francis was personally poor, the institution he led was not. The Vatican’s estimated net worth is between $10 billion and $15 billion, according to TIME and other financial analysts.
This wealth includes:
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Extensive global real estate holdings
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Priceless art collections (e.g., Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling)
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Banking assets and investments through the Institute for the Works of Religion (commonly called the Vatican Bank)
It’s important to note that this wealth is owned by the Holy See, not the Pope himself. The Pope governs and manages these assets in trust for the Church’s global mission, but does not have a personal claim over them.
Pope Francis’ Life of Simplicity
Pope Francis was the first Pope elected from the United States and lived his life with simplicity. Here are a few attributes describing the simple life of Pope Francis.
1- Residence
Instead of occupying the lavish Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis chose a humble suite in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a Vatican guesthouse. He dined in the communal dining hall and personally greeted staff and visitors regularly.
2- Jesuit Values
As the first Jesuit pope, Pope Francis upheld his order’s vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Jesuits are known for their rejection of personal wealth, and Francis carried this ethos into the papacy with unwavering resolve.
3- Modest Attire and Accessories
Even the Pope’s clothing reflected his humility: he wore a gold-plated silver ring instead of a pure gold one and traveled in modest vehicles like a Ford Focus rather than the traditional Popemobile.
How did Pope Francis Die?
Pope Francis had battled health complications for years, including bronchitis and kidney insufficiency. On February 14, 2025, the Vatican confirmed his hospitalization. Despite signs of stabilization in late February, his condition deteriorated. He ultimately passed away from a stroke and irreversible heart failure, according to Vatican physician Dr. Andrea Arcangeli.
Legacy Over Luxury
In a world where religious leaders are often scrutinized for opulence, Pope Francis was the rare global figure who truly walked the talk. He not only advocated for the poor—he lived like one. His net worth may have been modest, but his moral authority, spiritual legacy, and influence on the Catholic Church were immeasurable.
Pope Francis’ Personal Life
Pope Francis’s life is like an open book. Here are few details about it.
Early life of Pope Francis
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the eldest of five siblings in a devout, working-class family of Italian descent. His father, Mario José Bergoglio, was a railway accountant, and his mother, Regina María Sívori, was a homemaker.
He initially studied chemistry, earning a chemical technician’s diploma before entering the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1958. He later earned degrees in philosophy and theology, teaching literature and psychology at Jesuit schools in his early career.
Personal Life: Celibacy and Commitment
As a Jesuit priest, Bergoglio lived by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, meaning he never married and had no children. He briefly had a romantic relationship in his youth but ultimately felt called to the priesthood.
Despite being the most visible face of global Catholicism, Francis insisted on keeping a low profile, famously declining residence in the Apostolic Palace and instead choosing a modest suite at Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican’s guesthouse.
Global Leadership and Legacy
Elected in March 2013, Pope Francis was the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years. Over his 12-year papacy, he:
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Advocated for the poor and migrants
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Took strong stances on climate change and economic inequality
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Promoted interfaith dialogue
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Initiated reforms aimed at improving transparency within the Church
Francis was widely admired for his approachability and deep concern for the marginalized. About half of the world’s Christians identify as Roman Catholic, making their influence truly global.
Cause of Death
After months of declining health, including treatment for bronchitis and kidney insufficiency, Pope Francis died from a stroke followed by irreversible heart failure, as confirmed by Vatican physician Dr. Andrea Arcangeli.
He passed away peacefully in his home in Casa Santa Marta at 7:35 a.m. on April 21, 2025, surrounded by members of the papal household.
What Happens After the Death of Pope Francis?
The death of Pope Francis initiates a time-honored and intricate process within the Roman Catholic Church. Known as the novendiale, or nine days of mourning, this solemn period includes liturgical rites, public ceremonies, and internal Church protocols that lead up to the election of the next pope.
Here is a comprehensive look at what traditionally unfolds after the passing of a pontiff.
1- The Mourning Period: The Novendiale
Following the pope’s death, the Vatican enters into a formal period of mourning that lasts nine days. The pope’s body is prepared according to sacred tradition—clothed in papal vestments and placed in St. Peter’s Basilica where the faithful can pay their final respects.
This period of public viewing typically draws hundreds of thousands of mourners from around the globe.
2- Funeral and Liturgy Arrangements
The funeral of a pope is an event of global importance and is expected to be held in St. Peter’s Square, weather permitting. The Mass will be led by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, currently Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is 91 years old. Requiem Masses and special prayer services will also be held across Catholic churches worldwide during this period.
Previous papal funerals have drawn massive crowds. When Pope John Paul II died in 2005, his funeral brought together an unprecedented number of world leaders and dignitaries, including four kings, five queens, and over 70 presidents and prime ministers. An estimated four million people took part in the events, making it one of the largest gatherings of its kind in modern history.
3- Burial Customs
Pope Francis had expressed his desire to be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, diverging from the traditional resting place of most pontiffs—the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. Only seven popes have been buried at Santa Maria Maggiore, the last being Clement IX in 1669.
While past popes have been entombed in three nested coffins—cypress, lead, and elm—Francis reportedly preferred a simpler burial with just one coffin, likely made from wood and zinc. A rogito, or papal biography scroll, may also be placed alongside his remains, recounting the story of his life and pontificate.
The burial usually takes place four to six days after death, following the funeral rites.
4- Sede Vacante: The Interregnum Period
Once the pope passes away, the Catholic Church enters a phase known as sede vacante. During this transitional period, the College of Cardinals assumes administrative authority but refrains from making major decisions. All important governance is put on hold until a new pope is elected.
5- Electing the Next Pope: The Papal Conclave
Approximately 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death, the papal conclave is convened. Cardinals under the age of 80 travel to Vatican City to gather in the Sistine Chapel, which is sealed off to maintain confidentiality. The number of eligible voting cardinals usually hovers between 110 and 120.
Voting is conducted in secret, with up to four rounds per day. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope. If, after 33 rounds, no consensus is reached, the top two candidates go into a runoff vote. Each vote is followed by the burning of ballots—black smoke signals an inconclusive vote, while white smoke signals that a new pope has been chosen.
Once elected, the new pope is presented to the world from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with the iconic announcement: “Habemus Papam”—“We have a pope.”
Final Reflections
Pope Francis may have led a global institution with enormous financial resources, but his own life was marked by personal humility, spiritual discipline, and ethical conviction.
His decision to forgo personal wealth in favor of a servant’s life remains a powerful testament to his values—a legacy that will endure far beyond the Vatican walls.
