Pope Francis Requests Burial in Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica
In a poignant revelation, it has emerged that Pope Francis has expressed his desire to be buried in the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome. According to his will, written in 2022, the Pope requested that his final earthly journey conclude in this ancient Marian sanctuary, a site he frequently visited to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey.
As reported by the BBC, Pope Francis has a long-standing affinity for the basilica, having visited it on his first day as Pope in 2013. In his will, he wrote: "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." The Pope’s devotion to Mary is well-documented, and his will reflects his deep-seated connection to the faith.
The Santa Maria Maggiore basilica is a site of great significance, with seven popes buried in ornamented tombs within its walls. However, Pope Francis has requested a more humble burial, asking that his tomb be located in the side aisle, between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel, close to a statue known as the Mary Regina Pacis (Mary, Queen of Peace). As the Pope explained in his will, "Near that Queen of Peace, to whom I have always turned for help and whose embrace I have sought more than a hundred times during my pontificate."
The Pope’s burial request is a testament to his humility and commitment to his faith. He has asked that his tomb be simple, bearing only the inscription "Franciscus", the Latin version of his chosen name. This desire for a modest burial is consistent with the Pope’s emphasis on compassion and humility throughout his papacy.
The BBC has obtained the details of Pope Francis’s will, which provides a unique insight into the Pope’s personal devotion to Mary and his vision for his final resting place. As the Pope wrote in his will, "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."
The significance of Pope Francis’s burial request cannot be overstated. As the leader of the Catholic Church, his final resting place will serve as a pilgrimage site for millions of devotees. By choosing to be buried in the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, Pope Francis is underscoring the importance of faith and devotion in his life and legacy.
According to the BBC’s source, the Pope’s will is a heartfelt expression of his spiritual journey and his commitment to the Catholic faith. As the news outlet reports, Pope Francis’s burial request is a poignant reminder of his mortality and his enduring connection to the Church. The Pope’s legacy will continue to inspire and guide Catholics around the world, and his final resting place will serve as a testament to his devotion to Mary and his faith.
