Pope Francis’ choice to live in ‘modest’ residence imposed heavy costs
May 26, 2025
» Continue to this story on Il Tempo (Italian)
CWN Editor's Note: The decision by Pope Francis to live in the St. Martha residence—rather than apostolic palace—imposed a heavy cost on the Vatican, and a move back to the traditional papal apartment by Pope Leo will bring in substantial savings.
The modest rooms of the St. Martha residence are intended for short-term guests, and the late Pontiff’s residence there was expanded to include a kitchen, private chapel, reception area, and space for staff—eventually taking up the entire 2nd floor of the residence, and commanding more room than the papal apartments of the apostolic palace.
With increased needs for security and eventually for medical facilities as well, the added costs of the papal residence at St. Martha ran to nearly €200,000 ($227,000) a month toward the end of Pope Francis’ papacy, according to an unconfirmed report in Il Tempo.
The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: grateful1 -
May. 27, 2025 7:18 PM ET USA
The pew-sitters paid a pretty penny to prop up that pontificate's Potemkin facade of humility and simplicity. Think of all the money that could instead have gone to the poor via Peter's Pence, the bulk of whose budget is routinely diverted to Vatican operational costs. (Wonder if those costs included the unnecessary renovation of St. Martha's...)
