VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, known for his humble approach to leadership, made a notable decision early in his papacy to live in the modest Casa Santa Marta instead of the lavish papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace.
It was here, in this guesthouse at the heart of Vatican City, that Pope Francis spent his final days.
The Casa Santa Marta, a five-story guesthouse built in 1996 on the site of an ancient hospice for the poor, became the Pope’s residence after his election.
Unlike his predecessors, who resided in the Apostolic Palace, Francis chose a more humble living space.
He moved into Suite 201, which, while offering a bit more luxury than the typical rooms, provided a spacious living area where he could receive guests, reflecting his preference for simplicity and closeness to his priests.
The guesthouse has 106 suites, 22 single rooms, and one apartment, and is regularly inhabited by priests, bishops, and cardinals visiting Vatican City.
During the papal conclave, it also hosted cardinals who were locked away in isolation until the election of the Pope.
It was Pope John Paul II who initiated the construction of Casa Santa Marta, creating a residence where electors could stay during the conclave, separate from the outside world.
Following his election, Pope Francis chose to remain at Casa Santa Marta, even after regular residents returned.
While some voiced concerns about the Pope’s prolonged stay, Francis reportedly expressed that he was “used to being with my priests.”
His time at Casa Santa Marta was marked by his preference for personal contact with those around him, reinforcing his image as a pope who chose service and humility over luxury.
In addition to his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis also used the Apostolic Palace for official meetings and audiences.
While the Apostolic Palace served as his official space for conducting Vatican affairs, it was at Casa Santa Marta that he spent his final moments, a testament to his simple and accessible leadership style.
