Preparations for the Pope Francis funeral revealed a departure from papal tradition as the pontiff chose burial outside the walls of St. Peter's Basilica. The private entombment follows the formal funeral mass held Saturday in St. Peter's Square, attended by heads of state and dignitaries from around the world, a gathering often fraught with potential for diplomatic awkwardness.
Unlike predecessors buried in the grottoes beneath St. Peter's, Francis selected a spot in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. This choice signals a desire for simplicity, contrasting with the grandeur typically associated with the burial place of popes. The basilica holds personal significance for Francis, who visited it over 100 times during his papacy, often before and after international trips.
The decision to forgo St. Peter's was revealed in an interview published after Francis's death. He stated he wanted a simplified funeral, feeling past papal rites were "overembellished." His wish was to be remembered more as a pastor than a figure of immense power, a sentiment reflected in his request for a simple wooden coffin and an undecorated tomb inscribed only with his papal name, Franciscus.
The chosen niche in Santa Maria Maggiore, once used for storing candlestick holders, sits near the chapel housing a venerated icon of Mary. Francis expressed great devotion to Mary, Mother of God, citing this as a primary reason for his affection for the ancient basilica. This personal connection guided his final request.
His body lay in state for three days before the funeral mass, allowing many of the Catholic faithful to pay respects. The procession moving Francis's body from his Vatican residence to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday also displayed a less elaborate ritual compared to previous pontiffs, reflecting his stated preference for reduced fanfare even in death.
While the burial location breaks with recent centuries of tradition, the funeral mass itself retained elements of the solemn Catholic pageantry expected for a reigning pope. The sheer number of cardinals present, now significantly higher than in previous conclaves, ensures a considerable display, even as the central figure's final resting place lies elsewhere. The Pope Francis legacy includes this final act emphasizing personal devotion and pastoral humility over institutional custom.
The basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, located in the Esquilino neighborhood of Rome, offers its own awe-inspiring beauty, distinct from St. Peter's. Visitors admire its coffered ceiling, said to be gilded with gold from the Americas, and chapels designed by masters like Michelangelo. It serves as the final resting place for figures like Gian Lorenzo Bernini, adding historical weight to Francis's choice.
Pilgrims visiting the basilica expressed understanding for the late pontiff's decision. Standing in queue for a blessing, one pilgrim commented on the basilica's beauty.
“I can understand why Francis chose to be buried here. It is breathtakingly beautiful.”
