Pope Francis’s will gave these surprising instructions for his funeral and burial

The Vatican has revealed Pope Francis’s last will and testament, which gave very specific instructions for his funeral and burial. He will be laid to rest in a very different way to lots of previous popes.

Pope Francis wrote his will in 2022. The document begins: “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.”

The majority of previous popes were buried in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, where Pope Francis appeared in public for the final time. But Pope Francis gave very different instructions.

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. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the Resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. 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 Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major is outside of the Vatican. The basilica is in the city centre, between the Coliseum and the main train station. Pope Francis attached a detailed floorplan of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major to explain exactly where he wished to be buried.

The basilica where Pope Francis’s ‘simple’ tomb will be
(Image by Diego Delso via Creative Commons)

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Because of Pope Francis’s will, his funeral will still take place in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican, but then his coffin will be driven 2.5 miles across Rome to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

Pope Francis’s instructions for his burial were also really unusual. His will reads: “The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.” This is really different to the tombs of previous popes. Their tombs are usually very lavish, and have ornate sarcophagi above the ground. It is also very unique for the inscription to only have his name, without dates or any mention of the fact that he was the pope.

An unknown benefactor will pay for the tomb and transfer the funds to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

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Featured image of Pope Francis by  Maria Laura Antonelli AGF/Shutterstock.