Pope Francis has opted not to be buried in St. Peter’s Basilica alongside his predecessors. He said he prefers to be laid to rest when he dies in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome which he claims have already been prepared for him.
The Pope explained he has a “special connection” with Santa Maria Maggiore basilica where he often visits and stays to pray. Since his ascendancy as pope, he has often prayed there before and after trips, as he also did following his recent surgery.
The Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church was speaking during an interview by the Mexican broadcast Televisa’s N+ streaming service.
The pope’s wish – if carried out, will mark a departure from tradition, being the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican. The last pope to make a similar choice was Leo XIII in 1903, who now rests in the basilica of St. John the Lateran in Rome.
During the interview, Pope Francis also revealed his plans to visit Belgium in 2024 and his native land of Argentina and also Polynesia.
Pope Francis, 87 and frail, celebrated his birthday this weekend. Recently he was hospitalized for bronchitis that led to the cancellation of his visit to COP28 climate talks in Dubai, although the pontiff seemed to look a little better than before.
Francis said he was impressed by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI’s courage to step down in 2013 due to failing health, but said he didn’t think papal resignations should become a norm.
Benedict – the first pope to resign since the Middle Ages, passed away on December 31, 2022, and quickly followed by a funeral overseen by Pope Francis.
His body is interred in the same tomb in the St. Peter Basilica that once held the remains of Pope John Paul II before it was removed for beatification in 2011.
Please Like 👍, Comment, Share & Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
