Joel Osteen's luxurious mansion draws comparison to Pope Francis' humble room

In the wake of Pope Francis' passing, social media users have been comparing his humble lifestyle with that of prominent religious figures.

Images showing the late Pope’s simple living quarters at Santa Marta resurfaced online, going viral alongside photos of grand homes owned by prominent religious leaders like televangelist Joel Osteen. 

An X post shared by World of Statistics particularly captured public attention, drawing over 27.6 million views. It showed a photo of Pope Francis' humble room with the caption: "In the 12 years of his Papacy, Pope Francis lived in room 201 of Casa Santa Marta. This was his room."

But debate ignited when Drew Savicki quote-tweeted a photo, allegedly of Joel Osteen’s mansion, and added: "Meanwhile Joel Osteen lives like this."

The debate centered on whether religious leaders should live modestly, as Pope Francis did, or embrace wealth and luxury, like Osteen.

The post by Drew Savicki, which amassed over 16m views quickly divided opinion on the subject. While some defended Osteen’s lifestyle as earned, others criticised the display of excess, drawing comparisons with Pope Francis’ humble living conditions.

Meanwhile Joel Osteen lives like this https://t.co/ORs5t19YIz pic.twitter.com/grb7qXdSq0

— Drew Savicki (@DrewSav) April 27, 2025

One user, @drgunner, defended Osteen, writing: "Honestly the guy has earned it. Good for him. He largely brings positivity, optimism and personal responsibility to the table....and you don't have to live in a shack."

Another user, @anliakho, criticised the extravagant display: "When they say 'Tax the rich,' this is what comes to mind. I don't want Elon Musk to pay more taxes, I want people who live in excess to do it. Tax spending, not wealth."

Meanwhile, @oswellcole pointed out key differences between Osteen and the Pope’s paths to influence: "Joel wasn’t appointed by his church. He inherited his father’s church. The Catholic Church or Vatican doesn’t belong to any of Francis’s family members. Let’s be serious."

However, some users questioned the accuracy of the viral mansion photo.

@chrisAyesJr noted: "This isn’t his house. This is one of the Kardashians'. Joel lives in River Oaks in Houston, you can search county tax records for the real address.

Still a massive mansion in the nicest area of Houston, just not the house in this post."

Indeed, a closer look at Osteen’s actual home shows undeniable grandeur.

According to GigWise, Osteen and his wife Victoria moved into their River Oaks mansion in 2010, purchasing it for an estimated $10.5 million.

The estate sits on 1.86 acres and features six bedrooms, six bathrooms, five wood-burning fireplaces, and three elevators; a showcase of luxury befitting one of America's most successful televangelists.

While the image was later proven to be inaccurate, it highlights a deeper discussion on how the public perceives the wealth of religious leaders

On the other hand, Pope Francis seemed to have embraced the complete opposite.

From the start of his papacy in 2013, Francis rejected the traditional papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, choosing instead a simpler residence in Room 201 at Domus Sanctae Marthae (Santa Marta), a guesthouse built in the 1990s.

In a past interview, the Pope explained: "I chose to live here, in Room 201, because when I took possession of the papal apartment, inside myself I distinctly heard a 'no.' The papal apartment is not luxurious, but it is large. I need to live among people."

Pope Francis eventually moved into Suite 201; a modest 538-square-foot space with a small sitting area, a simple bedroom, and sparse furnishings.

The lighting was described as "institutional," a far cry from grand chandeliers and gilded decor.

As tributes pour in for Pope Francis, the stark differences between him and religious figures like Osteen continue to fuel conversations online about wealth, responsibility, and the true meaning of leadership.