Pope Francis’s last and only wish

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The Pope, who died on Easter Monday, only mentioned one wish in his will. This concerns his final resting place, which should be somewhere other than that of his predecessor. The Vatican published the last will and testament of the head of the church—he also wishes for a simple grave.

The last wish of the pontiff, who died at the age of 88, concerns his burial. The will clearly states that Francis wanted to be buried without much opulence and pomp.
The Pope stated this in his will: “Aware that the evening of my earthly life is approaching, and in the living hope of eternal life, I wish to express my testamentary will only with regard to the place of my burial.

I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, the most holy Mary. I therefore ask that my mortal remains rest in the Pontifical Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, awaiting the day of the Resurrection.
I wish that my last earthly journey may end in this very ancient Marian shrine, where I have gone to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, to entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother with confidence and to thank her for her kind and maternal care.

I request that my tomb be placed in the niche in the aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the “Salus Populi Romani”) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica, as indicated in the attached annex. The tomb must be in the ground, simple, without particular decorations, and with the single inscription: Franciscus.
The expenses for preparing my funeral will be covered by the sum of a benefactor, which I have transferred to the Pontifical Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and for which I have given instructions to Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Chapter of the Basilica.
To those who have loved me and continue to pray for me, may the Lord give you the reward you deserve. I have offered the suffering I have experienced in the last part of my life to the Lord for world peace and fraternity among peoples.”

According to the document, the will was written in Santa Marta on June 29, 2022. Pope Francis is the seventh bishop of Rome to find his final resting place in this oldest Marian church in the West, as reported by Vatican News. Since Pius X (1903-1914), all of Francis’ immediate predecessors have been buried in St. Peter’s Basilica.