After serving for 12 years as the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday. His last will and testament has now been released to the public, revealing his carefully considered burial wishes.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio and later taking the name Francis to honor Saint Francis of Assisi, died at the age of 88 in the Vatican at 7:35 a.m. local time on April 21. The cause of death has been identified as a cerebral stroke, which led to a coma and ultimately heart failure.
His testament, dated June 29, 2022, outlines precise instructions regarding his burial.
“Recognizing that the end of my earthly journey draws near and filled with hope in eternal life, I wish to declare my wishes solely concerning my burial location,” the document states.
In a notable departure from Vatican tradition, Pope Francis requested not to be buried within the Vatican itself.
He wrote: “Throughout my life and ministry as a priest and bishop, I have placed my trust in the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
“For this reason, I ask that my body be laid to rest, awaiting resurrection, in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
“I want my final earthly path to end in this Marian sanctuary, where I consistently came to pray—both before and after every Apostolic Journey—to entrust my prayers to the Immaculate Mother and thank her for her gentle and maternal care.
“I request that my grave be placed in the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (home of the Salus Populi Romani icon) and the Sforza Chapel, as outlined in the attached documentation.
“My burial should be in the earth, unadorned and simple, with only one inscription: Franciscus.”
Unlike many popes before him, Pope Francis did not want his tomb to note that he led the Catholic Church for 12 years.
He further stated: “The cost of my burial arrangements will be covered by a fund I have designated, which is to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. I have left clear instructions about this to Mons. Rolandas Makrickas, the Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter.
“May God bless all those who have shown me love and continue to hold me in their prayers.
“The pain and suffering I endured in the later years of my life, I offered to the Lord—for peace across the world and unity among all peoples.”