AFP
In his will, Pope Francis says he offered to the Lord the suffering that was present in the last part of his life for peace in the world and fraternity among peoples.
A portrait of the late Pope Francis is seen during a mass in his honor in the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, in France. (Free Press Photo: EFE)
Pope Francis left written in his will, published on Monday, April 21, his willingness to be buried in a chapel in the Roman Basilica of Santa María la Mayor and in a simple grave.
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, as indicated in the attached document. The grave must be on earth; Simple, without particular decoration and with the only registration: “Franciscus”, reads in the will, published after his death at 88 years.
The document, dated June 29, 2022, was made public after being transferred to the chapel of his residence in the Santa Marta house, and the death part was also issued. Francisco died at 7.35 (Rome time) on Monday, at 88, for a cerebral stroke.
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. I have always trusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest waiting for the day of the resurrection in the papal basilica of Santa María la Mayor, reads in the will.
And he adds: I want my last earthly trip to end precisely in this former Marian sanctuary, where I went to pray at the beginning and end of each apostolic trip to confirm with confidence my intentions to the immaculate mother and thank her for her docile and maternal care.
The Pope also indicates that the expenses for the preparation of his funeral will be covered by the sum of a benefactor who has arranged to be “delivered to Santa María la Mayor and from which I have given appropriate instructions to Monsignor Rolandas Makrickas, extraordinary commissioner of the Liberian chapter”.
Francisco concludes his wills asking: that the Lord grants the deserved reward for those who have loved me and will continue to pray for me.
I offered to the Lord the suffering that was present in the last part of my life for peace in the world and fraternity between peoples, the will ends.