Announced He Would Not Receive a Salary After His Election in 2013
Dedicated Himself to the Poor and Marginalized
Became the First Pope to Choose the Name Francis
Pope Francis, who dedicated his life to the poor and marginalized and lived a life of poverty, is reported to have left behind only $100 (about 140,000 KRW) in assets after passing away at the age of 88.
On the 22nd (local time), Argentine media outlet Ambito, citing Celebrity Net Worth, a website specializing in celebrity net worth, reported that the total assets left by the pope amounted to just $100. Typically, a cardinal's monthly salary ranges from $1,700 (about 1.67 million KRW) to $5,900 (about 5.84 million KRW). However, Pope Francis served without pay at the Vatican after his election as pope. After being elected in March 2013, he announced that he would not accept a salary, which was reportedly due to his 'vow of poverty' as a Jesuit priest, committing to a life of poverty.
On the afternoon of the 22nd, mourners are paying their respects at the underground chapel of Myeongdong Cathedral in Jung-gu, Seoul, where the funeral hall for Pope Francis, who passed away on the 21st (local time), was set up. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Born in Argentina in 1936, Pope Francis devoted himself to serving the poorest and most marginalized neighbors in the slums of his hometown, Buenos Aires, until his election. Even after being appointed cardinal in 2001, he lived in a small apartment and used public transportation, such as the subway, instead of the luxury car assigned to cardinals. This character is also reflected in his choice of the papal name 'Francis.'
Francis (1181-1226) was a saint from Assisi, Italy, known as the "Saint of the Poor." Unlike previous popes who typically used names such as Paul, John, or Benedict, Pope Francis was the first to choose the name Francis to ensure he would not forget the poor and marginalized. His modest lifestyle continued even after his election to the papacy in the Vatican.
He declined the luxurious papal residence within the Vatican and instead lived in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican guesthouse for priests. He wore a worn cross instead of the traditional gold papal cross and chose simple black shoes over the iconic red papal shoes. The pope's modesty was also evident during his 2014 visit to Korea, where he used a Kia 'Soul' vehicle instead of a luxury state car.
The pope's modesty can be seen in his use of Kia's 'Soul' vehicle instead of a luxury state car during his visit to Korea in 2014. Asia Economy
The 20-year-old metal cross, worn shoes, and old bag that he used during his visit to Korea became topics of conversation. Pope Francis, who lived a life of humility, modesty, poverty, and simplicity, will have his funeral in the Vatican on the 26th, with the procedures greatly simplified according to the funeral law he revised himself last November. Unlike most popes, who are typically buried in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, which is located near the Argentine Embassy in Italy.
Meanwhile, with the passing of Pope Francis, a conclave (the secret meeting of cardinals to elect a new pope) is expected to be held next month to select his successor. There is global attention on whether, following the first pope from the Americas, a non-white pope from Asia or Africa might be elected. Among Koreans, Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik holds both voting and candidacy rights and is being highlighted as a potential candidate for the next pope.
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