A “simple” tomb “in the ground” bearing only the inscription “Franciscus” is among the Pope’s wishes for his burial, according to a final testament released by the Vatican.
Francis died at the age of 88 on Monday morning, just a day after appearing on the balcony in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday. The Vatican said the pontiff died of a cerebral stroke that put him into a coma and led to irreversible heart failure, as confirmed by the head of the Vatican’s health department, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli. In a statement, he noted that Francis also suffered from episodes of respiratory insufficiency and had suffered bilateral pneumonia, as well as type 2 diabetes and hypertension in the lead up to his death at 7:35am.
In a final testament released by Vatican, the Pope decreed he will be buried in St. Mary Major Basilica in a simple underground tomb – with only “Franciscus” written on it. St. Mary Major Basilica is home to Francis’ favorite icon of the Virgin Mary, to whom he was particularly devoted. He wrote: “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. 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.
He added: “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. The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus. 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. May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me.
The Pope ended his message by saying: “The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.”
On the morning of his death, Francis woke up at 6am and was doing reasonably well, but by 7am he had already deteriorated, according to Vatican sources. Half an hour later, at exactly 7:35am, his death was announced. Francis had battled respiratory infections in the lead up to his death, leaving him hospitalised at the Gemelli Polyclinic for five weeks.
Despite his ill-health, the Pope agreed to meet King Charles on April 9, and just one day ago, on Easter Sunday, he met with Vice President of the United States, JD Vance. He then held an Easter address while in a wheelchair before thousands of worshipers in St Peter’s Square, hours before his death.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was selected to serve as the Pope in 2013, becoming the first to choose the name Francis. He went on to influence millions around the world.