Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church for over 12 years, passed away on Monday, April 21, after a long battle with illness.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Vatican said the Pope’s death was due to a stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the head of the Vatican City State.
He became pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Before his papacy, Pope Francis served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and was a cardinal in the Vatican.
Throughout his life, Pope Francis was known for his simplicity, choosing to live in a modest guesthouse rather than the papal palace, and for his focus on issues such as poverty, inequality, and the environment.
Pope Francis Salary
Despite being at the helm of one of the world’s most powerful and affluent religious institutions, Pope Francis reportedly declined a salary throughout his tenure.
Reports suggest that he instead directed his monthly salary, estimated to be around USD 32,000 (Sh4.1 million), toward charitable purposes, church foundations, or placed them in trust for causes he supported.
The Papacy: fascinating facts about the office of the Pope
Estimated Net Worth
According to various media sources, Pope Francis’ net worth stood at at $16 million (Sh2.1 billion) at the time of his death.
The wealth was linked to assets, including five official cars, a living space provided by the Vatican, and other benefits.
None of these assets were considered personal property of Pope Francis as they were tied to his role as the pontiff.
Who Inherits the Pope’s Wealth?
According to Economic Times, the heir of pope Francis’ wealth will be unveiled in a will expected to be revealed in the coming days.
Traditionally, Popes do not leave personal fortunes to heirs. Their belongings and assets are often donated to religious charities, entrusted to Vatican foundations, or absorbed by the Church itself.
Final wills and testaments are typically revealed in the days following a Pope’s death. However, Pope Francis’ deep compassion and frequent departures from papal tradition, have raised speculations that he may direct funds to support the poor or specific humanitarian causes close to his heart.
