The humility that characterized the Pope in life will also be the badge of his grave. The design of the grave that will host the body of the Holy Father next Saturday in the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor has been revealed this Thursday: performed In Liguria marble and with the only inscription ‘Franciscus’in addition to the reproduction of its pectoral cross.
The grave has prepared In the niche of the side nave of the Basilica between the Paulina Chapel (Chapel Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel, near the altar of San Francisco. The Supreme Pontiff chose this temple for its funeral, instead of San Pedro, where its most immediate predecessors rest. The faithful can visit the mound from Sunday.
“I request that my grave be prepared in the niche of the side nave between the Paulina chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the sforza chapel of the aforementioned papal basilica,” said the bishop of Rome in his will, in which he also stipulated that the mound should “be on earth.” Likewise, he asked to be «simple, without particular decoration and with the only registration: ‘Franciscus’ ».
He added: “Feeling that the end of my earthly life is approaching and with living hope in eternal life, I want to express my will only with respect to the place of my burial.” Francisco explained that he had always trusted his life and his priestly and episcopal ministry to the Virgin and, therefore, requested that her mortal remains rest “waiting for the day of the resurrection in the papal basilica of Santa María la Mayor.”
The Pope had a special link with this temple and, therefore, he chose it for his eternal rest. «I wish that my last earthly trip ends in this ancient Marian sanctuary, to which He went in prayer at the beginning and end of each apostolic tripto confidently entrust my intentions to the immaculate mother and thank her her docile and maternal care.
The document, dated June 29, 2022, has been published after Pope Francis has been transferred to the chapel of his residence in the Santa Marta house. It has been issued at the same time as the death party, which has indicated that the Pontiff has died on Monday at 07.35 hours because of a cerebral stroke.
