Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88, will be laid to rest not within the Vatican but at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, marking a significant departure from long-standing papal tradition. The Vatican confirmed his funeral will take place on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square.
Known for his humility and preference for simplicity, Francis expressed in his final will a wish to be buried “in the earth, simple, without particular decoration,” with only his papal name “Franciscus” inscribed in Latin.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, located on Rome’s Esquiline Hill, held deep personal meaning for the pontiff. “I’ve always had a great devotion to St. Mary Major, even before I became pope,” he said in his 2024 book El Sucesor, a reflection on his papacy.
Francis often visited the basilica before and after his overseas trips, and prayed there during major milestones of his leadership—including the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and after undergoing surgeries. A golden vase of roses he donated in 2023 remains under the icon of Mary housed in the Pauline Chapel.
His final resting place will be in a modest room beyond the statue of Mary, Queen of Peace. “Just beyond the sculpture of the Queen of Peace, there’s a small recess, a door that leads to a room where candelabras were stored. I saw it and thought: ‘This is the place,’” the pope shared in El Sucesor.
Pope Francis’ decision breaks a 121-year precedent. The last pope buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII in 1903.
Founded in the 5th century, Santa Maria Maggiore is one of Rome’s oldest churches and holds great historical and religious significance. It houses the remains of seven popes, artists, and notable clergy. Its connection to Marian devotion and early Christianity makes it a fitting site for a pope who prioritized humility, inclusivity, and tradition reimagined.