People surprised after seeing what Pope Francis' bedroom looked like and the story behind it

Images of Pope Francis' bedroom have revealed a lot about the late pontiff.

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday (April 21) from the comfort of his papal home for the past 12 years which the Vatican later confirmed came from a stroke.

Now that the Argentinian cardinal has been officially laid to rest following a grand and ceremonious funeral on Saturday (April 26), people are only just learning that the Pope chose not to live such a grand life.

In fact, Pope Francis was somewhat of a progressive rebel since his election as head of the Catholic Church in March 2013 compared to popes of the past.

He would often lament wars across the world, speak out about climate change and slam anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

Pope Francis was known as the progressive pope (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

To this end, he approved blessings for same-sex civil unions, met up with his pal, Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, accompanied by a group of LGBTQ+ community members every week, and famously told journalists: "Who am I to judge?" when asked if he considered homosexuality a sin.

Francis, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, also pushed for several other reforms in the church, such as giving more roles to women in high-ranking Vatican positions and went on to appoint more non-European cardinals than any of the Popes before him in his vision for a more inclusive Catholic Church.

Indeed, he was no stranger to breaking the formalities of his predecessors and altering traditions - and even in death challenged norms by opting to be buried outside the Vatican.

However, what many don't know is that the late pontiff opted out of his $32,000 per month papal salary, which would have raked in millions throughout his tenure.

His bedroom was a little bare (YouTube/CNN/Vatican TV)

But, as a Jesuit, he swore an oath of poverty, chastity and obedience to Christ, meaning he passed up on a life of luxury. He was the first ever Jesuit pope in history.

In line with his humble and modest approach to living, Francis also decided to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a church guest house, instead of the grand Apostolic Palace, which sent shockwaves through the Vatican at the time.

Photographs of his bare and austere bedroom have recently resurfaced, which show the Pope slept in a single wooden bed with very few furnishings.

Although his suite left much to the imagination, with only one or two crosses symbolising Christ adorning the walls, he did apparently have a mini-bar in the sitting room.

Reacting to the news, dozens of people said the late pontiff's bedroom speaks volumes about his character and commitment to Christ.

"This is what a servant leader’s quarters look like," said one on Twitter. "No pretense. No gold chandeliers. No ostentatious displays, no personal accolades, just simple dignity."

He had very few furnishings or decorations (YouTube/CNN/Vatican TV)

"Pope Francis was a true believed. He practiced what he preached," another added.

A third wrote: "It seems he was so down to earth man."

However, others didn't take too well to the image, with some doubting that the Pope actually slept there while others dubbed it 'eerie', like something out of The Exorcist.

Yet explaining why he opted for the humble abode over the palace, the pontiff once said: "The residence in the Apostolic Palace is tastefully decorated and large, but not luxurious. It is big and spacious, but the entrance is really tight.

"People can come only in dribs and drabs, and I cannot live without people. I need to live my life with others," reports Elle Decor.

In his spirit of community, he also ate all his meals in the communal dining room.