Pope Francis revealed his final wishes in his will published on Monday, asking to be buried in a simple, unadorned tomb in his beloved Roman basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
"Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching, and with a living hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will only with regard to the place of my burial," the Pope wrote in his June 29, 2022 will, which was published on April 21 by the Vatican.
"I ask that my mortal remains rest in anticipation of the day of the Resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore," wrote the pope, who sought to visit the Catholic shrine before and after each of his trips as pontiff.
In his will, Pope Francis specified the exact spot in the side nave of the basilica for his tomb, even attaching a diagram for clarity, and said the funeral expenses had been arranged in advance.
"The tomb is to be in the ground; simple, without much decoration, and with a single inscription: 'Francis.'"
At the end of his will, the spiritual leader of Catholics asks the Lord to "give the deserved reward to those who loved me and will continue to pray for me."
"The sufferings that became actual in the last part of my life I offered to the Lord for world peace and fraternity among peoples," he says in conclusion. | BGNES
