In a recent interview with Mexican broadcaster N+, Pope Francis, who celebrates his 87th birthday this Sunday, expressed his wish to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Pope Francis, noted for his simple lifestyle and modest approach to his papacy, said this decision reflects his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his affinity for the basilica, which he has visited over 100 times since his papacy began in 2013.
His choice of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which houses the Salus Populi Romani icon — “Mary, Protection of the Roman People,” is a testament to his strong personal connection to the site. He often visits the basilica before and after his international travels and has shown a profound reverence for this Marian shrine throughout his tenure.
The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII, who died in 1903 and lies in the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. The decision to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore marks a shift in papal burial traditions since.
Pope Francis has also been working with Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Vatican’s master of ceremonies, to simplify the traditional papal funeral rites. “We simplified them quite a bit,” the Pope mentioned in the interview.
Despite his age and recent health challenges, including bronchitis and surgery for an abdominal hernia, Pope Francis remains committed to his papal travel. He confirmed plans for future visits to Belgium, Polynesia, and his native Argentina.
Let’s pray for the pope!
🙏
Photo credit: Vlas Telino studio / Shutterstock.com
