Pope's last will - breaks tradition

Pope breaks ancient tradition - here is the Pope's last wish

Wayne Seretis

Published 2025-04-21 21.41

Francis died on Monday morning. Photo: Sunday Alamba / AP

Pope Francis strove for humility in life.

So also in death.

With his last wish, he chooses to be buried on Saturday in a simple tomb outside the Vatican.

The Vatican released the Pope's will in its entirety on Monday evening, dated in Santa Marta, June 29, 2022.

There he repeats what he revealed in an interview in 2023, that he wants to simplify the papal funeral ceremony and be buried in a basilica outside the Vatican.

He said that he had already presented his plans to the Vatican's master of ceremonies.

– I will launch a new ceremony, said Pope Francis according to the Guardian.

The normal thing for centuries has been for the pope to be buried in the catacombs under St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Photo: Andrew Medichini / AP

No pomp and show

The funeral has also consisted of a spectacular ceremony, where the pope was taken to his final rest with pomp and show.

– This is another breach of old traditions, just like his decision not to live in the Apostolic Palace, said Paddy Agnew, Vatican correspondent for the Sunday Independent at the time.

In his will, the pope writes that he wants to be buried with a simple ceremony in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, which was built in 432 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The funeral is scheduled for next Saturday.

On the tomb he wants only one word:

“Francis”
Here is the full testament of Pope Francis:

“Miserando atque Eligendo. In the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.

As I feel that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching, and with a living hope of Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will only as to the place of my burial. My life and my priestly and episcopal ministry have always been entrusted to the Mother of our Lord, Most Holy Mary.

Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains may rest in the Pontifical Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, awaiting the day of the Resurrection. I desire that my last earthly journey may end precisely in this ancient Marian shrine, where I always prayed at the beginning and end of each apostolic journey, in order to entrust my intentions with trust to the Immaculate Mother and thank Her for Her tender and maternal care.

I ask that my tomb be prepared in the niche in the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel in the aforementioned Pontifical Basilica, according to the attached document.

The tomb shall be in the ground; simple, without special decoration and with the sole inscription: Franciscus. The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by the sum from the benefactor I have designated, to be transferred to the Pontifical Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and for which I have given the necessary instructions to Monsignor Rolandas Makrickas, Special Commissary of the Liberian Chapter." 

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På graven vill han bara ha ett enda ord:

”Franciskus”

Här är påve Franciskus testamente i sin helhet:

"Miserando atque Eligendo. I den allra heligaste Treenighetens namn. Amen.

När jag känner att solnedgången för mitt jordiska liv närmar sig, och med ett levande hopp om det Eviga Livet, önskar jag uttrycka min testamentariska vilja enbart vad gäller platsen för min begravning. Mitt liv samt mitt prästerliga och biskopliga ämbete har jag alltid anförtrott åt vår Herres Moder, den Allraheligaste Maria.

Därför ber jag att mina dödliga kvarlevor får vila i väntan på uppståndelsens dag i den Påvliga Basilikan Santa Maria Maggiore. Jag önskar att min sista jordiska resa avslutas just i denna uråldriga marianska helgedom, där jag alltid bad i början och slutet av varje apostolisk resa, för att förtroendefullt anförtro mina intentioner åt den Obefläckade Modern och tacka Henne för Hennes milda och moderliga omsorg.

Jag ber att min grav förbereds i nischen i sidonavet mellan Paolinska kapellet (Kapellet för Salus Populi Romani) och Sforzakapellet i ovannämnda Påvliga Basilika, enligt det bifogade dokumentet.

Graven ska vara i jorden; enkel, utan särskild utsmyckning och med enda inskriften: Franciscus. Kostnaderna för förberedelsen av min gravläggning kommer att täckas med summan från den välgörare jag utsett, att överföras till den Påvliga Basilikan Santa Maria Maggiore, och för vilken jag har lämnat nödvändiga instruktioner till monsignor Rolandas Makrickas, särskild kommissarie för det liberianska kapitlet."