Pope Francis chose not to live in the traditional papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, which have been the official residence of popes since 1903. Instead, from his election in 2013 until his death in 2025, he lived in the Domus Sanctae Marthae (Saint Martha's House), a modest Vatican guesthouse originally built to house cardinals during conclaves. This five-story building, located near St. Peter's Basilica, functions more like a simple hotel and includes suites and rooms for clergy and guests

. His suite in Casa Santa Marta was modest, featuring basic furnishings and a communal dining area where he shared meals with other residents, reflecting his preference for simplicity and community living. He continued to use the Apostolic Palace for official functions and audiences but chose the guesthouse to avoid the isolation and grandeur of the papal apartments

. This choice symbolized his vision of a humbler, more accessible Church and was consistent with his lifestyle as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, where he also preferred modest accommodations