Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, had much expressed his desire to be buried in the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, instead of the standard burial site for rulers, St Peter’s Basilica.
According to The New York Times, the Vatican released his last will and testament on the same day, revealing that he wished to be laid to rest in a simple, undecorated tomb bearing only the inscription “ Franciscus. ”
In his will, dated June 29, 2022, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Francis wrote, “ I wish my last earthly journey to end at this very ancient Marian shrine, ” referring to St Mary Major. He said that he had visited the church at the beginning and ending of every papal quest, and after each hospitalisation, including his last release on March 23 from a 38-day remain at Gemelli Hospital.
Though unable to get out of the vehicle, he stopped in front of the church to worship.
“ I have often entrusted my life and my religious and catholic government to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy, ” Francis stated, explaining his dedication to the Salus Populi Romani icon located in the Pauline Chapel, where he requested his monument become placed outside.
His will likewise reflected the modesty that marked his career. Francis asked that “the monument must be in the universe; simple, without specific decoration, ” with no notice of his church on the grave. “With colorful hope in immortal life, ” he wrote, “ I offer the anguish of the last part of my life for peace in the world and fellowship among individuals. ”
According to the Vatican’s death certificate, Francis died at 7:35 am ( local time ) from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible cardiac arrest.
Prof Andrea Arcangeli, mind of the Vatican’s health agencies, noted the bishop had long suffered from hypertension, Type II diabetes, empyema and had recently endured respiratory failure and asthma.
In his book Hope, Francis said he did not wish to get buried in St Peter’s, explaining, “The Vatican is the home of my last services, not my forever. ” He also dismissed traditional funeral pomp, requesting “no servers, no triple tomb, ” and asked instead for interment “with respect, but like any other Christian. ”
As per DW, this makes Francis the first pontiff in almost 150 years not to be buried at St Peter’s Basilica.
The last was Pope Pius IX, whose bones were moved three years after cremation. Francis ’ final resting place will get near the Queen of Peace monument, fulfilling what he called a lifelong dedication to Mary, “whose acknowledge I have sought more than a hundred times during my pope. ”
