Millionaire Pope?
When he died, Pope Francis had only $100 as his savings, or what is nominally called, his estate, his personal inheritance.
He had no bank accounts, no properties, nor any investments to his name.
Although he could earn 340 thousand euros a year, he never accepted the salary of the Vatican, because as a Jesuit, he had taken his vows of poverty, humility, and purity, seriously, and thus he lived with justice for the rest of his life.
Jorge Bergoglio (Pope Francis) renounced the luxuries of the papal palace, and instead he chose to live in the simple Casa Santa Marta, a Vatican hostel for visiting priests. All his expenses were covered, but his lifestyle was austere and consistent with what he preached.
He was happy that way: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1757623928160189
Always saying that Happiness is Holiness and Holiness is Happiness … and that the duty of all Christians, is to bear witness to everything, and to be happy, even in their strained, diminished, if not terribly difficult, circumstances.
Especially then … we must be happy and grateful because everything happens for the Good.
His “candle” is held in the Basilica of Saint Peter and his burial will be on Saturday 26th in Basilica Santa Maria La Major, in Rome and not in the Vatican. Unlike his predecessors, his coffin is made of simple wood.
His “INHERITANCE” isn’t material … it is MORAL and made up of HUMILITY, COHERENCE and SERVICE.
And although he commanded no armies, he had no tank divisions, he claimed no Air Force Power, nor naval power, not any atomic weapons — he influenced more people across the World than the most powerful world leader.
Pope Francis influenced all 7.9 Billion people on this Earth — through his message of Love, Kindness, & Humility.
He set a great EXAMPLE for all of us!
After his intense hospitalization recently — he wrote this little essay, titled “Hospital” in his own words:
POPE FRANCIS always surprises with his reflections, as this one that he wrote after exiting the hospital during his recent hospitalization that saw him ready to depart this mortal; coil several times when his physicians at the Augustino Gemeli hospital thought to “disconnect” him and thus stop his suffering…
But divine powers had other plans and he was resurrected for another few weeks to finish his work, against the “hyenas” who were circling the papal throne…
Here in his words, Pope Francis extolls the virtues of humble humanity that is tested greatly at the prospect of death, and the imminence of departure from this existence:
“The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches…
They have witnessed far more sincere kisses than those in airports…
It is in hospitals that you see a homophobe being saved by a gay doctor.
A privileged doctor saving the life of a beggar…
In intensive care, you see a Jew taking care of a racist…
A police officer and a prisoner in the same room receiving the same care…
A wealthy patient waiting for a liver transplant, ready to receive the organ from a poor donor…
It is in these moments, when the hospital touches the wounds of people, that different worlds intersect according to a divine design. And in this communion of destinies, we realize that alone, we are nothing.
The absolute truth of people, most of the time, only reveals itself in moments of pain or in the real threat of an irreversible loss.
A hospital is a place where human beings remove their masks and show themselves as they truly are, in their purest essence.
This life will pass quickly, so do not waste it fighting with people.
Do not criticize your body too much.
Do not complain excessively.
Do not lose sleep over bills.
Make sure to hug your loved ones.
Do not worry too much about keeping the house spotless.
Material goods must be earned by each person — do not dedicate yourself to accumulating an inheritance.
You are waiting for too much: Christmas, Friday, next year, when you have money, when love arrives, when everything is perfect…
Listen, perfection does not exist.
A human being cannot attain it because we are simply not made to be fulfilled here.
Here, we are given an opportunity to learn.
So, make the most of this trial of life—and do it now.
Respect yourself, respect others. Walk your own path, and let go of the path others have chosen for you.
Respect: do not comment, do not judge, do not interfere.
Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely!
And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator.”
—Pope Francis
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1391291111920181
Yours,
Dr Churchill
PS:
Goodbye beloved rebe…
