Since the holy Father, Pope Francis passing on Easter Monday 21, April 2025, there have been several opinions regarding the way he lived his life in an exemplary manner.
It is unbelievable that the Catholic Pontiff lived a life of selflessness and poverty. He had nothing to his name except his bed, desk and his faith in God. While most world leaders clinged to their possessions and material acquisition, Pope Francis chose to offer everything to own nothing because as a Jesuit, he took a vow of poverty.
Although the Holy Father was in a position to earn about 340,000 euros yearly, he died leaving just a $100 because he refused the money every year since he became pope in 2013. Shocking, isn’t it? Sometimes, a man’s wealth is not determined by what he possesses but, in the love, he leaves behind.
He has left an indelible mark for the world to see as a Catholic head. Rather than live a life of affluence as some church leaders live or live in luxurious apartments as his predecessors, he resigned to living in the Casa Santa Marta, a simple and modest home, and he travelled in a small ford Focus while other religious leaders drove around in limousines and their flashy cars.
POPE FRANCIS: A Legacy of Humility, Inclusion, and Christlike Compassion in a Material World
According to report, he ate with employees in the Vatican not in a private dining room and dressed simply just in his white robes and iron cross. To him, living a selfless life in poverty was a lifestyle.
Many may see it as a life of foolishness, but he gathered wealth in rendering service to humanity, genuinely building faith in people and transforming lives positively.
He never discriminated. Everyone had a chance to be heard and loved equally weather you are black, white, Christian Muslim, bisexual or homosexual. His message was a message of mercy, hope and love.
Yes! A lesson to be learnt by a man who chose to be Christlike in humility rather than being Christlike in affluence and wealth in a world where majority today have lost their morals and gone astray in search of material acquisition.
What about you, what message are you leaving behind as a leader, subordinate, a colleague, neighbour or a citizen? Have a rethink.
… story by Akpa Evelyn Ogbene
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Evelyn Akpa is a talented voice over artist, model, actress, print and broadcast journalist with over 15 years’ experience spanning print, online and television.
