In a final act of humility, Pope Francis requested to be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, diverging from the traditional resting place of popes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican confirmed that the funeral for the late Pope will be held on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. However, his burial site—St. Mary Major—reflects his lifelong devotion to simplicity and his deep reverence for the Virgin Mary.
Known for avoiding the grandiosity of his office, Pope Francis specified in his will that he wished to be buried “in the earth, simple, without particular decoration,” with only his papal name, Franciscus, etched in Latin.
This basilica, located on the Esquiline Hill, was deeply personal to the Pope. He prayed there before and after every international trip and sought its comfort during critical moments in his papacy—including following surgeries and during the COVID-19 lockdown.
In his 2024 book El Sucesor, Pope Francis shared that he was drawn to a small recess near the Queen of Peace statue inside the basilica. This quiet space, once a candelabra storage room, will now hold his tomb.
Not since Pope Leo XIII in 1903 has a pope been buried outside Vatican grounds. The choice marks a profound statement, aligning with Pope Francis’ commitment to humility and his connection to the marginalized—fittingly, as the Esquiline was once a burial ground for Rome’s poorest.
St. Mary Major, built in 432, houses relics, historical icons, and the remains of several popes and figures such as artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Each August 5, Romans celebrate the “Miracle of the Snow,” commemorating the church’s legendary divine origin.