Death of Pope Francis: The Exceptional Burial Site Chosen for the Supreme Pontiff
Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88, will be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, in the heart of Rome—according to his wishes.
Pope Francis @BBC
If his request is honored, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. This exceptional choice breaks with the centuries-old tradition of burying popes in the crypt of Saint Peter’s Basilica.
This 5th-century basilica, one of the four major papal basilicas of the Eternal City, already holds the tombs of seven other pontiffs. However, no reigning pope has been buried there in over three hundred years. Pope Francis publicly expressed this unique wish at the end of 2023.
In a statement, Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the French Bishops’ Conference, emphasized the humility of the Pope’s final departure: “On this Easter Monday, in his service attire, just as he likely wished, Pope Francis has passed away,” he declared.
As part of the funeral arrangements, a memorial Mass for Pope Francis will take place this Wednesday morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This sacred site—regarded in Christian tradition as the place of Christ’s crucifixion and tomb—will host the celebration at 9:30 a.m., presided over by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, joined by members of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries.