Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025
In the later years of his life, Pope Francis declared his faith in a spiritual testament that also included his final wishes for his funeral and burial.
Written by the Pope on June 29, 2022, the spiritual testament was published by the Vatican following the death of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21, 2025.
Burial Location
In his spiritual testament, Pope Francis requested that his mortal remains be laid to rest in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
“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 — awaiting the day of the resurrection — in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major,” the Pope wrote.
The Pope provided further specific directions for his burial place, stating; “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.”
Modesty of the Tomb
In an act of modesty, the Pope requested that his tomb be presented in a simple manner without elaborate decorations.
He further directed that his Latin given name be the only inscription on the tomb.
“The tomb should be in the ground, simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus,” he wrote.
Source of Funding for the Burial
As the absolute monarch of Vatican City, the Pope had significant control over the Vatican’s financial and material resources.
However, Pope Francis relieved the church of the burden of his funeral costs, specifying in his testament that a benefactor would cover the expenses.
“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,” the Pope wrote.
Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at his residence in the Vatican’s Domus Sanctæ Marthæ.
Known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was elected to lead the Catholic Church in March 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis,” Cardinal Farrell announced.
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