Pope Francis lived in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a guesthouse in Vatican City, rather than the traditional Papal Apartments in the Apostolic Palace. This guesthouse, also known as Saint Martha's House, was built in 1996 to house cardinals during conclaves and other clergy visiting the Vatican. Pope Francis chose this residence for its simplicity and communal living environment, reflecting his preference for a modest lifestyle. He lived there from his election in 2013 until his death in 2025

. The Domus Sanctae Marthae is located within Vatican City, next to St. Peter’s Basilica, and offers comfortable but modest accommodations compared to the more opulent Papal Apartments. Pope Francis used the Papal Apartments only for official functions such as audiences and the Sunday Angelus prayer but returned to his suite in the guesthouse for daily life

. In summary, Pope Francis’s official residence was the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse in Vatican City.