Pope Francis to Rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at 88, will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. This important burial marks a significant moment in the papacy, reflecting his life of humility.
Key Takeaways
- Pope Francis passed away at 88 on Easter Monday.
- He will be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
- This is the first papal burial there since the 17th century.
- His burial will reflect his preference for simplicity.
- Global leaders will attend his funeral, with state mourning declared.
Vatican City, April 22 (NationPress) Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 in his residence at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, is set to be interred on Saturday at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, a location of profound personal importance for him.
The basilica has served as a major Marian shrine for over sixteen centuries and is one of the four significant papal basilicas. Pope Francis frequently offered his prayers here, especially upon returning from his various apostolic journeys around the globe.
This will mark the first papal burial at the basilica since the 17th century, when Pope Clement IX was laid to rest there. The site is also the final resting place for seven other popes, saints like Matthew and Jerome, as well as the renowned Renaissance artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini and his family.
Staying true to the essence of simplicity that characterized his life and ministry, Pope Francis requested a humble burial. His final wishes stated that his tomb would be in the earth, without elaborate adornments, featuring only a single inscription.
The Vatican has also indicated that the body of Pope Francis may be temporarily moved to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, April 23, subject to approval from the College of Cardinals, allowing the faithful to pay their last respects.
The Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, has initiated General Congregations starting Tuesday to prepare for the forthcoming Conclave, expected to occur between May 5 and May 10.
The funeral will see the attendance of numerous global leaders, with Italy and India already proclaiming three days of state mourning.
Just hours prior to his passing, the ailing pontiff met with US Vice President J.D. Vance after attending Easter services, despite his visibly frail condition.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents, Francis was the first Jesuit and the first Latin American pope.
His election in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, marked a pivotal moment in the Church's history. Rejecting the opulent papal apartments, Francis opted to reside in the modest guesthouse of Santa Marta, leading with a pastoral heart and reformist vision.
His death has elicited profound sorrow within the global Christian community, which remembers him as a shepherd of the people, a pope of the peripheries who consistently reached out, listened, and walked humbly with his God.
