Pope Francis had asked to be buried in a “simple tomb in the ground” according to his final testament, Vatican officials revealed.
The leader of the Catholic Church, 88, died Monday morning from a cerebra stroke that caused irreversible heart failure, plunging around 1.4 billion Catholics across the world into grief.
The pontiff’s spiritual testament which dated 29 June 2022, revealed his wish to be laid to rest in St. Mary Major Basilica.
“Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the, mother of our lord, the blessed Virgin Mary,” the testament read.
“For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the resurrection – the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major,”
“I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every apostolic journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.”
