Before his death, Pope Francis had made requests on how his body, tomb and funeral should be handled.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
A year before his death, in April 2024, Pope Francis had ratified a revised and updated edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, the liturgical book for papal funeral rites.
It is this liturgical book that will be used to offer guidelines for Pope Francis’ funeral mass.
According to Vatican News, the second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces several new elements such as how the Pope’s mortal remains are to be handled after death.
According to the book, the ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the coffin, Vatican News further indicated.
Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, has also revealed that Pope Francis had requested that his funeral rites be made simple and that they should put the focus on faith in the resurrection of the body of Jesus Christ.
“The renewed rite seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world,” noted Archbishop Ravelli.
Pope Francis also requested that his body be laid to rest in a simple tomb in Rome.
“The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: ‘Franciscus,’” the Pope requested.
Pope Francis’ Spiritual Testament
Miserando atque Eligendo [by having mercy, by choosing him]
In the name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.
As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
Throughout my life, and during my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the Mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the Resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.
I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.
May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.
Santa Marta, 29 June 2022
FRANCIS
You can read about the medical report on Pope Francis cause of death and his battle with lung infections since his early 20s Here and There.
You also read interesting things about Pope Francis, what happens after the death of a pope and how a new pope is chosen Here, There and Over There.
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