Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death in 2025, was known for his deep humility and strong devotion to service. True to his character, he made plans for his burial as early as 2022, three years before he passed away.
Reports confirm that he personally chose to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore rather than at the Vatican, where most popes are traditionally laid to rest. This choice showed his commitment to simplicity and his personal devotion to the Virgin Mary, whom he honored throughout his life.
In a testament he wrote on June 29, 2022, Pope Francis made clear instructions about how he wanted his funeral and burial to be handled. He requested that his tomb be plain, with only the Latin inscription “Franciscus” on it, avoiding the usual elaborate papal symbols and designs.
According to reports from Daily Nation and People Magazine, he rejected the grandeur often associated with the burial of popes. This decision continued the pattern he had set throughout his life, favoring humility over ceremony and service over status. His burial plans clearly showed a man who had never forgotten his original mission of serving the poor and living a modest life.
Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with the management, staff and patients of Bambino Gesu Children’s Hospital on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the hospital’s donation to the Holy See, in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, March 16, 2024. REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/ File Photo
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was not just a random choice. It had a special place in Pope Francis’ heart. Throughout his papacy, he often visited the basilica to pray, especially before and after his international trips. The basilica houses the Salus Populi Romani, a famous icon of the Virgin Mary, and has always been a place of comfort and hope for him.
By choosing to be buried there, he made sure that his final resting place would be close to a symbol of the faith and devotion that shaped his life. BBC reports also highlighted that no pope had been buried at Santa Maria Maggiore since the 17th century, making this decision even more remarkable.
After his death on April 21, 2025, Pope Francis’ body lay in state at St. Peter’s Basilica for three days, allowing the faithful to pay their last respects. Then, on the day of his funeral, a unique and emotional procession carried his simple wooden coffin from St. Peter’s to Santa Maria Maggiore.
The route went through the heart of Rome, passing famous landmarks like the Colosseum, symbolizing his lifelong desire to be close to the people. Thousands lined the streets, offering prayers and farewell gestures as the procession moved along. This public display of mourning and respect was fitting for a pope who had always placed himself among the people, not above them.
At Santa Maria Maggiore, he was buried in a modest grave near a statue of Mary Regina Pacis, fulfilling the wish he had laid out years earlier. His choice to reject the traditional three-coffin burial and the Vatican tombs reinforced the image of a pope who saw his role as that of a humble servant rather than a ruler.
According to People Magazine and BBC reports, his final resting place serves as a lasting symbol of his dedication to a simple and service-driven faith.
The burial of Pope Francis was more than just a ceremony; it was a reflection of the values he preached and lived by. His actions in death stayed true to the ideals he had spent his life championing humility, compassion, and closeness to the ordinary faithful. His legacy will be remembered not just for the reforms he tried to bring to the Church, but also for the example he set with his own life and death, reminding the world that true greatness lies in service and simplicity.
