Pope Francis noted in a statement before his death that his burial shouldn’t call for much shenanigans, as he would most prefer to be buried in a simple underground tomb without ornamentation.
This wish of his, dated June 29, 2022, was made public by the Vatican, and therein, the late Pope had expressed his desire to be laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome, in a “simple” underground tomb “without particular ornamentation.”
This death wish will make the Pope the first to be interred at the basilica since 1669.
His statement reads as follows:
“As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.”
“Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest โ awaiting the day of the Resurrection โ in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.”
“I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.”
“I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.”
“The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.”
“I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.”
“May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me.”
“The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.”
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