Pope Francis’ life was a testament to his belief that true wealth lies not in material possessions, but in service to God and humanity. He will be remembered for reviving the belief that the Church was meant to serve the poor, says OSWALD PEREIRA
Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, left behind a rich legacy — the joy of simple living. While his predecessors basked in the grandeur and opulence of the papacy, in striking contrast, Pope Francis glowed in an aura of austerity and humility.
His simple life showed that he truly believed in Jesus Christ’s teaching in the Bible that “the poor shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20)
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he chose the name Francis when he was elected Pope. “Pope Francis strove to lead a simple life; so it’s no surprise that he chose to be named after St Francis of Assisi, who lived in poverty,” said Joëlle Rollo-Koster, expert on the papacy, and a University of Rhode Island history professor. St Francis of Assisi was an early 13th century Roman Catholic friar and founder of the Franciscan Order.
“Pope Francis wore a plain white priest’s cassock instead of papal robes and clunky orthopaedic shoes instead of the traditional papal red slippers,” Rollo-Koster said.
“The similarities between St Francis and Pope Francis are profound,” said Rollo-Koster. “St Francis was a radical, and Pope Francis was considered something of a radical too.”
Two days after his 2013 election, Pope Francis said he wanted a church that is “poor and for the poor.”
His life, both before and after his election in 2013, has been marked by simplicity, a commitment to the poor, and a profound detachment from material wealth. This commitment was evident by reports indicating his personal savings, when he died, amounted to a mere $100, despite his entitlement to a substantial monthly salary of $32,000 per month, which he never accepted.
However, Pope Francis was not a mere idealist. Like his idol, St Francis of Assisi who loved and protected nature, Pope Francis had sounded the alarm about climate change and had spoken out against environmental degradation.
Pope Francis’ early life was also simple. Before entering the seminary, he worked as a chemical technician and a nightclub bouncer. This background fostered a deep understanding of the struggles faced by ordinary people, a perspective he carried into his priestly and episcopal ministries. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he lived in a small apartment, cooked his own meals, and used public transportation.
This lifestyle wasn’t a put on, but a reflection of his deeply held beliefs of austere living. So, it seemed quite natural that on his election, Pope Francis chose to reside in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, a guest house, rather than the traditional papal apartments.
This decision was driven by his desire to live among the clergy and visitors, fostering a sense of community living and accessibility, commentators say. He continued to eschew the trappings of power, opting for a simple iron cross instead of the elaborate gold pectoral cross worn by his predecessors, the commentators add.
Pope Francis’ austerity wasn’t merely a personal preference but a central theme of his papacy. He urged the clergy, too, to live lives of simplicity and service. He criticised the “idolatry of money” and the “globalisation of indifference,” highlighting the vast inequalities that plague the world.
His actions spoke louder than words, as during his lifetime, he demonstrated a personal commitment to the values he preached. His emphasis on simplicity resonated well with many, both within and outside the Catholic Church.
In a world often dominated by consumerism and materialism, Pope Francis’ example serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of humility and compassion. He has consistently championed for the marginalised, advocating for the rights of refugees, the homeless, and the poor.
Pope Francis was not a dreamer but a man of action and practicality as well. He ensured that the Vatican’s finances showed dedication to fiscal responsibility. He had pushed for greater transparency and accountability in the Vatican’s financial dealings, aiming to eliminate corruption and ensuring that resources were used to serve the Church’s mission.
Peter Casarella, a professor at the Divinity School, University of Chicago, said, “Pope Francis consistently called for compassion and understanding, emphasizing the importance of love and respect for all people.”
Casarella said that Pope Francis sought to strengthen the church even if it meant offering up public criticism of it.
He said: “Pope Francis was a stark critic of a self-referential Catholic Church and preferred to preach apostolic zeal and the model of a church as a field hospital. He was known for his efforts to reform the Vatican, seeking to address corruption and financial mismanagement within the church.
“He worked to bring attention to the sexual abuse crisis within the church and took steps to address it, including meeting with survivors and implementing new measures for accountability in multiple contexts.”
Casarella said that “Not all Catholics in the U.S. always welcomed his messages in support of social justice and migrants.”
“For example, he wrote a letter to U.S. bishops in January 2025 saying: ‘The act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness.’
“He continued: ‘This is not a minor issue. An authentic rule of law is verified precisely in the dignified treatment that all people deserve, especially the poorest and most marginalized’.”
Pope Francis’ life was, indeed, a testament to his belief that true wealth lies not in material possessions, but in service to God and humanity.
Oswald Pereira, a senior journalist, has also written ten books, including Beyond Autobiography of a Yogi, The Newsroom Mafia, Chaddi Buddies, The Krishna-Christ Connexion, How to Create Miracles in Our Daily Life and Crime Patrol: The Most Thrilling Stories. Oswald is a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, and practises Kriya Yoga.
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