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Pope asked for simple, unadorned tomb for final resting place

Pope Francis revealed his last wishes in his will published Monday, asking to be buried in a simple, unadorned tomb inside his beloved Roman basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore.

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<p>VATICAN CITY, Holy See - Pope Francis revealed his last wishes in his will published Monday, asking to be buried in a simple, unadorned tomb inside his beloved Roman basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore.</p><p>&quot;Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will only as regards the place of my burial,&quot; wrote the pope in his will dated June 29, 2022, that was published Monday by the Vatican.</p><p>&quot;I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of the resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore,&quot; wrote the pope, who sought to visit the important Catholic sanctuary before and after every trip he took as pontiff.</p><p>In his will, Francis specified the exact spot in the side nave of the basilica for his tomb, even including an attached diagram for clarity, and said the burial expenses had been arranged in advance.</p><p>&quot;The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus.&quot;</p><p>In closing his will, the spiritual leader of the world&#x27;s Catholics asked the Lord to &quot;give the deserved reward to those who loved me and will continue to pray for me&quot;.</p><p>&quot;I offered the suffering that became present in the last part of my life to the Lord for world peace and brotherhood among peoples.&quot;</p><div><strong>Testament of the Holy Father Francis, 21.04.2025</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Miserando atque Eligendo</p><p>In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.</p><p>As I sense that the twilight of my earthly life is approaching, and with firm hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my final wishes regarding my burial place.</p><p>I have always entrusted my life and priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest, awaiting the day of resurrection, in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.</p><p>I wish that my final earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian shrine, where I go to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey to faithfully entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and to give thanks for her gentle and maternal care.</p><p>I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica, as indicated in the enclosed plan.</p><p>The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, and bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.</p><p>The expenses for the preparation of my 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 appropriate instructions to Msgr. Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter.</p><p>May the Lord grant the deserved reward to those who have wished me well and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.</p><div><em>Domus Sanctae Marthae, 29 June 2022</em></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/4/21/pope-francis-died-of-stroke-irreversible-cardiovascular-collapse-vatican-1136">Pope Francis died of stroke, irreversible cardiovascular collapse — Vatican</a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pl2z6LJETQA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>Pope Francis revealed his last wishes in his will published Monday, asking to be buried in a simple, unadorned tomb inside his beloved Roman basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore.</p>