Pope Francis has revealed that he will not be buried in St Peter’s Basilica alongside his predecessors, but rather in a basilica in Rome called Santa Maria Maggiore.
“The place is already prepared. I want to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore,” the pontiff, who turns 87 this weekend, told Mexican broadcaster Televisa’s N+ streaming service.
Francis’ decision marks a departure from tradition, as he will be the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican.
Santa Maria Maggiore is a basilica located in Rome and is one of the oldest churches in the city. It is known for its beautiful architecture and art, and is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike.
Expressing his preference to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s four papal basilicas, Pope Francis cited a personal and special connection with the sacred site.
Even before his papacy, Francis frequented the basilica during visits to Rome, and since assuming office in 2013, he has continued this practice, praying there both before and after his travels and notably after undergoing surgery.
Historically, the last pope to forgo burial at St. Peter’s Basilica was Leo XIII, who passed away in 1903. His resting place is in the basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.
The basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore holds the remains of seven previous popes, as confirmed by the Vatican News, further solidifying the significance of this decision.
Pope Francis’s recent health challenges, including a bout of bronchitis that led to the cancellation of a visit to the COP28 climate talks in Dubai, underscore the importance of these considerations about his final resting place.
However, in a recorded interview where he appeared in better health, he acknowledged and commended his predecessor, Benedict XVI, for his courageous decision to step down due to failing health in 2013, becoming the first pope in centuries to resign.
Benedict XVI’s funeral in 2022, presided over by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica, concluded with his burial in the tomb beneath the church, previously occupied by Pope John Paul II before his body was moved for beatification in 2011.
While acknowledging the possibility of following Benedict’s example under severe health constraints, Pope Francis emphasized his belief that resignation should not become customary for popes, underscoring the significance of his decision regarding his burial place.