Pope Francis: From Swatch to the most expensive clock in the world!

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday 2025. His modest Swatch watch scored $ 56,250 at an auction.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday 2025. His modest Swatch watch scored $ 56,250 at an auction. (Symbolbild/NAGW)

Pope Francis: From Swatch to the most expensive clock in the world!

Pope Francis, bourgeois Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was known for his modesty and deep connection to faith. On April 21, 2025, the Vatican announced his death, which occurred on Easter Monday of the same year. The news about his loss shaken believers worldwide and recalled his extraordinary life and work.

Born in Argentina, Bergoglio began his career as a bouncer and caretaker before being trained as a chemical engineer. After a serious illness, he found his faith and joined the Society of Jesus, the Jesuit order. His priestly career finally led him to the papacy in 2013, where he was the first Jesuit to take over the leadership of the Catholic Church.

The last watch auction

Pope Francis received special attention after his death from a simple Swatch watch he was wearing. The model, known as "Twice Again" (reference number SO29B703), has a sales price of only 60 euros in the online shop. By proving his secretary to donate the watch for an auction, he again showed his social values. The fundraising campaign served to support a foundation that promotes college students-founded by the parents of the late Brian Laviolette, who tragically died from a swimming accident at the age of 15.

The auction was a great success. The watch achieved a record price of $ 56,250 and thus became the most expensive swatch in the world. This story not only underlines Francis' modesty in his personal style, but also his commitment to charity.

a life in the service of humanity

The Jesuits, which included Francis, have a long tradition that goes back to the 16th century. Her mission finds its expression in the famous sentence "The world is our house", which of Hieronymus Nadal, one of the first companions of St. Ignatius was shaped. The order is designed to exceed geographical and cultural borders and offer help where it is most urgently needed. The Jesuits currently count almost 15,000 members in 112 countries and are active in more than 60 provinces.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio identified heavily with the principles of Jesuit spirituality. In February 2019, Pope Francis formulated four central "worldwide apostolic preferences" for the order, which should apply by 2029. These preferences are aimed at topics such as justice, reconciliation and the support of the disadvantaged in society.

Pope Francis will not only be remembered because of his unshakable faith, but also because of his tireless efforts for humanity. His inheritance will live on, not only through his words, but also through the deeds he accomplished during his term.

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