The simple bedroom which Pope Francis occupied for 12 years has resurfaced in the wake of his death – with fans praising his very humble lifestyle.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday and was buried on Saturday, made a choice to stay in Casa Santa Marta, the accommodation located beside St Peter’s Basilica, instead of relocating to the Apostolic Palace once he became pontiff.
Instead of moving into the usual papal residence, Francis resided in Room 201, which consisted of three rooms, from March 2013 until his demise on April 21 of this year.
Explaining his rationale for this decision in 2013, Pope Francis stated: ‘I opted to live here, in Room 201, because when I entered the papal apartment, I distinctly felt a “no” within myself.’
Room 201 includes a small bedroom, an office and a reception room, all decorated with a few pieces of dark wood furniture – and a wooden crucifix hanging behind his desk.
In the office there are four chairs – including a more comfortable armchair – a simple desk and a cabinet, above which hangs the colourful image of a saint.
The minimal bedroom includes a small bed, two bedside cabinets, a large wardrobe, chest of drawers and another small chair. There are no decorations on the walls.
His sitting room has a five-piece sofa set in a powder blue colour, with a small TV on a desk to the side.
The simple bedroom which Pope Francis occupied for 12 years (above) has resurfaced in the wake of his death – with fans praising his humble lifestyle
Room 201 comprises of a small bedroom, an office (above) and a reception room, all decorated with a few pieces of dark wood furniture – and a wooden crucifix hanging behind his desk
Another photograph of a bedroom inside Casa Santa Marta has circulated since Pope Francis’ death, claiming to be the room he inhabited in his later years.
However, this photograph was taken in 2005 – long before he became Pope. It is thought he may have stayed there briefly when he first took the role, before moving to his larger suite.
But the true images of Room 201 have also caught the attention of fans of Pope Francis, who have praised his ‘simple’ and ‘inspiring’ life in Vatican City.
One person noted that there was very little modern technology in his rooms.
He said: ‘Don’t you see that the Pope’s [bed]room didn’t have a TV, table or six-seater sofa. Let’s be simple, guys.’
Another said: ‘Pope Francis’ life in Vatican was beautiful and inspiring. Pope Francis owned three personal items. One pair of black leather shoes made by a cobbler in Argentina, a Casio wristwatch, and his bible.
His sitting room has a five-piece sofa set in a powder blue colour, with a small TV on a desk to the side
Pope Francis leads his weekly Angelus Blessing from the chapel of his residence in the Casa Santa Marta in December 2024
Casa Santa Marta was originally built in 1996 to house cardinals during a conclave
The images of Room 201 have caught the attention of fans of Pope Francis, who have praised his ‘simple’ and ‘inspiring’ life in Vatican City
‘He donated his salary to charity every year, lived in a small room with a single bed which he made every morning himself.’
A third noted: ‘Throughout his 12 years as Pope, Pope Francis made Room 201 at Casa Santa Marta his home.
‘This small bed is where he slept for 12 years.’
The papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace, where pontiffs typically live, is much larger than Francis’ three-room suite at Casa Santa Marta.
The pontiff said in 2013: ‘The papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace is not luxurious.
Pope Francis attends the Council of Cardinals from his residence Casa Santa Marta in 2021
A view of Holy Father’s Private Chapel inside the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo
Pope Francis decided not to move into the papal apartment (above) when he became pontiff
‘It is old, tastefully decorated and large, but not luxurious. But in the end it is like an inverted funnel. It is big and spacious, but the entrance is really tight.
‘People can come only in dribs and drabs, and I cannot live without people. I need to live my life with others.’
It is for this reason that Francis stayed in his second-storey suite in the guesthouse, which was originally built in 1996 to house cardinals during a conclave.
The papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace (above), where pontiffs typically live, is much larger than Francis’ three-room suite at Casa Santa Marta
Another photograph of a bedroom inside Casa Santa Marta (above) has circulated since Pope Francis’ death, claiming to be the room he inhabited in his later years. However, this photograph was taken in 2005 – long before he became pontiff
It features a total of 105 suites and 26 single rooms, half of which are occupied by permanent residents.
Casa Santa Marta is where Pope Francis spent his final days, after being discharged from Gemelli Hospital in Rome on March 23.
He died in his rooms on Easter Monday, and was laid to rest in a ceremony attended by upwards of 250,000 people on Saturday.
