Pope Francis. He chose a modest grave in Santa Maria Maggiore. Details
Over 10,000 people visited the Roman Basilica of Our Lady (Santa Maria Maggiore) on April 23, in which Pope Francis will be buried. Pilgrims and tourists come massively to the temple particularly close to the Pope to see the place where his grave will be found. The prefect of Rome Lamberto Giannini said after the meeting of the Provincial Authority for Public Order and Safety that « a very large influx of people » to the basilica was recorded. He emphasized that the system introduced there provides a quiet course of visit to the church and managing crowds in the face of the « mass presence » of the faithful.
Pope Francis to the book entitled « The Successor » revealed the details of his modest burial, which was paid by an anonymous donor.
« The Successor » is a book that is not the autobiography of Pope Francis, but rather an interview with a river conducted by the Spanish journalist Javier Martínez-Brocal. In the publication, the head of the church talks about his experiences as a pope, about relations with Benedict XVI and the challenges that Catholicism faces. In the book entitled, Pope Francis explained how he drew attention to the space that would become the place of his burial:
Just behind the sculpture of the Queen of Peace there is a small space, the door leading to the room where the candlesticks were stored. I saw it and thought: this is the place
– I suggested it to him. He will get marble from Liguria – said Archbishop Monsignor Macrickas in an interview with the Italian press. Franciszka’s cardinal and confidant received a full power of attorney to organize a funeral. The Pope chose a small chamber for his final resting place behind the Madonna monument. In May 2022, Franciszek prayed there with cardinals for peace in Ukraine. The highest priest of the church Santa Maria Maggiore gave journalists how the Pope decided about his place of burial:
He came to his conviction by praying to Madonna
But when the priest first suggested this, « Francis still thought that the popes should be in the Basilica of Saint Peter. » « Later he called me and said that the Mother of God told him: » It was time for you to prepare your grave, « Makrickas said.
What happens after the ceremony in St. Peter’s Square?
After a solemn ceremony at Saint Peter’s Square, Franciszek’s body will be moved to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he himself chose his final rest. Thousands of faithful take part in the procession. In front of the church, the smallest of the four papal basillers in Rome, are already lining for long queues.
The grave of Pope Francis – paid for by an unknown donor
In his will, Francis stipulated that the costs of building his grave would not be covered from the Vatican’s funds, but from a private donation. The grave must be in the ground, simple, without any special decorations and with the only inscription: Franciscus.
– Until now, the funeral rituals of the popes have been characterized by too much splendor. So I agreed with the ceremony master how to simplify them. There will be no catafalque or a solemn rite of closing the casket. I would like to be buried with dignity, but like any Christian, « he added.
The article was based on the translation of the text from Bild.de. Its authors are Nikolaus Harbusch and Jonathan Anda
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