Pope Francis used his final will and testomony to element his needs for the place he wish to be interred following his demise.
The chief of the Catholic Church died Monday on the age of 88, only a day after celebrating Easter with a shock look at St. Peter’s Sq.. The Vatican stated he died from a stroke that brought on a coma and led to irreversible coronary heart failure.
Within the will, dated June 29, 2022, Francis wrote that with the “feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching,” he wished to precise his preferences solely with regard to plans for his burial.
“I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy,” he wrote within the doc, launched by the Vatican Monday. “Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.”
The fifth-century church is without doubt one of the 4 Papal Basilicas in Rome and is devoted to the Virgin Mary. He famous that can be the place he visited to hope after every of his greater than 100 journeys overseas.
“I ask that my tomb be prepared in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica,” Francis stated in his will.
“The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus.”
In contrast to different popes, he didn’t request any point out of his papacy within the inscription — solely his identify.
Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass privately on the altar of St. Ignatius of Loyola within the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Dec. 8, 2020.
Grzegorz Galazka/Archivio Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori Portfolio by way of Getty Pictures
He ended his will with: “May the Lord give the deserved reward to those who have loved me and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that has become present in the last part of my life I have offered to the Lord for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.”
Full textual content of Pope Francis’ final will and testomony
Feeling that the sundown of my earthly life is approaching and with full of life hope in Everlasting Life, I want to specific my testamentary will solely with regard to the place of my burial. I’ve all the time entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mom of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Subsequently, I ask that my mortal stays relaxation awaiting the day of resurrection within the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
I want that my final earthly journey conclude exactly on this historical Marian sanctuary the place I went for prayer at first and finish of every Apostolic Journey to confidently entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mom and thank Her for her docile and maternal care.
I ask that my tomb be ready within the area of interest of the aspect nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica as indicated within the enclosed attachment.
The tomb have to be within the earth; easy, with out specific ornament and with the one inscription: Franciscus.
The bills for the preparation of my burial shall be coated by the sum of the benefactor that I’ve organized, to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and of which I’ve supplied applicable directions to Mons. Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter.
Might the Lord give the deserved reward to those that have liked me and can proceed to hope for me. The struggling that has develop into current within the final a part of my life I’ve supplied to the Lord for peace on this planet and brotherhood amongst peoples.
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