The pope says he wants to be buried in the Rome basilica, not in the Vatican
Associated PressROME — Pope Francis says he wants to be buried in the Rome basilica of St. Mary Major, not in the grottoes of the Vatican like other popes, so he can be near his favorite icon of the Madonna. Francis has long emphasized his role as bishop of Rome and has a particular devotion to an icon of the Virgin Mary on display in the St. Mary Major basilica near Rome’s main train station. “It’s my great devotion,” Francis said, adding that he had already decided he wanted to be buried nearby in the basilica. On travel, Francis confirmed that a trip to his native Argentina was “pending” and that the country’s new president, Javier Milei, had invited him. “You have to distinguish a lot between what a politician says in the election campaign and what he or she is really going to do afterwards, because then comes the moment of concrete things, of the decisions.” Francis’ planned visit to Belgium is to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the country’s two main Catholic universities.
History of this topic
Pope approves new papal funeral rites to simplify ritual, allow for burial outside the Vatican
Associated Press
Pope wants to be buried outside Vatican; simplify papal funeral rites
The Hindu
Pope Francis wants to be buried in Rome Basilica to be close to this icon
Hindustan Times
Pope Francis wants to be buried in Rome basilica, not in the Vatican
LA Times
‘I was always scared to death of him, to be honest’: In search of the real St Francis of Assisi
The Independent
Public now can see Benedict’s tomb at St. Peter’s Basilica
LA Times)
From coffin to final resting place, a guide to the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Firstpost
Pope Francis to lead ex-pontiff Benedict\'s funeral
Deccan Chronicle
EXPLAINER: Benedict’s funeral to be simple, but with pomp
Associated Press
Pope praises \'gentle\' Benedict ahead of funeral
Deccan Chronicle
Some 200,000 turn out over three days to view Pope Benedict’s body
LA Times)
Explained: What happens if former Pope Benedict dies
FirstpostDiscover Related
)
)
