The Vatican has released Pope Francis’s will, revealing his wish for a simple burial outside the Vatican City.
The 88-year-old Pope passed away on Monday morning.
He chose to be buried in the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome.
This will be the first time in over a century that a Pope’s body hasn’t been laid to rest within the Vatican walls.
A Humble Burial
Pope Francis’s will states that his tomb should be “in the ground, simple, without any particular ornamentation.”
Only his name, “Franciscus,” will be engraved on the tombstone in Latin.
The Pope had a personal connection to the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, where he often prayed.
This wasn’t a last-minute decision; he had already made arrangements for his burial.
A Break with Tradition
The last Pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Pope Leo XIII in 1903.
Pope Francis’s choice reflects his commitment to simplicity and humility during his papacy.
His will was released by the Vatican on April 21.
The source of this information is CNN.