Pope Francis’ burial wishes revealed in final testament
The Argentine pontiff’s funeral wishes show his much-vaunted humility and his aversion to traditional pomp and circumstance. Read his final testament in full.
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Pope Francis’ burial wishes have been revealed in his final testament.
Dated 29 June, 2022, the pontiff’s spiritual testament was released following his death on Monday morning local time.
The Argentine pontiff made changes to his funeral wishes last year, which show his much-vaunted humility and his aversion to traditional pomp and circumstance.
Typically, papal funerals are held four to six days after the death in St. Peter’s Square, but Francis had said that, unlike his predecessors, he would not be laid to rest in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica. Instead, he opted to be buried in Rome’s St. Mary Major Basilica.
He also chose a simple wooden casket, a far cry from his predecessors who would be laid to rest in three interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead and oak.
The date of his funeral has not yet been announced.
Read Pope Francis’ final testament below:
In the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
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.
For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the resurrection – in 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.
I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, extraordinary commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.
May the lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me.
The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.