POPE: By most accounts, Pope Francis was known as a good hearted man. As cardinal, when he was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was issued an organ donor card. Pope Benedict, whose name was Joseph Ratzinger, also had one.

However, the Vatican does not allow organ donation from a pope.

According to the Catholic Church, the pope’s body belongs to the entire Church. The Church also believes that the pope’s body should remain intact for future veneration and potential canonization.

There’s also concern that if the pope’s organs were donated, they would become relics in other bodies, which could complicate the veneration process if the pope were later canonized, noted Reuters.

It’s important to note that the Vatican has not changed its supportive stance on organ donation in general. Pope Benedict had expressed support for organ donation as an ‘act of love,’ noted the Guardian.

Pope Francis viewed it as a testimony of love and a manifestation of solidarity, the Vatican News said.

UNOS, the transplant network, stated there is no cost to the organ donor or the donor’s family or estate. People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Living donation is possible as well.

If you are not registered, you can become a donor by visiting registerme.org. Even if you have indicated your wishes on your driver’s license, state donor registry or the National Donate Life Registry, share your decision with your family so they know your wishes.

Chances are you already know someone who is familiar with some part of the process, donating organs from a lost loved one, or having a loved one benefit from receiving a donation.

Donors save lives.