Pope Francis will become the first head of the Catholic Church in 120 years to be buried outside the Vatican, his final resting place being the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. About this informs CNN.
Popes are usually buried in the grottoes under St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. However, in December 2023, Pope Francis shared his intention to break with this tradition. He expressed his desire to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which is located on the other side of the Tiber, opposite the Vatican. The pontiff explained that he has a “very strong connection” with this basilica, where he used to come every Sunday morning to venerate the Virgin Mary.
“I want to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore. Because it is the most precious place for me”Francis emphasized.
The basilica has already been the burial place for seven pontiffs, but Francis will be the first since Leo XIII, who died in 1903, not to be buried under St. Peter’s.
“It is there that the icon of Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the Roman People) is kept, his favorite Marian image, the image of the Mother of God, which Pope Francis visited before each trip and visited after his return.” — said Vatican analyst Cathy McGrady.
According to the norms of the apostolic constitution of the Catholic Church Universi Dominici Gregis, the funeral of the Pope must take place between the fourth and sixth days after the death, that is, between Friday, April 25 and Sunday, April 27. Therefore, the most likely date for the burial is Saturday, April 26, but the final decision will be made by the first Congregation of Cardinals.
The conclave must begin between the fifteenth and the twentieth day after the death of the Pontiff, that is, between May 6 and 10. However, if all elector cardinals are present in Rome, the beginning of the Conclave can be postponed to another date.
US President Donald Trump stated, that he and First Lady Melania Trump will attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome:
“We look forward to being there!”
