Vatican unveils Pope Francis' final wishes in his spiritual testament
He also asked that the tomb be simple and set into the ground, bearing only a single inscription: Franciscus.
Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday, had earlier written a deeply personal spiritual testament revealing his final burial wishes, expressing devotion to the Virgin Mary and choosing the Basilica of Saint Mary Major as his final resting place.
In the spiritual note dated June 29, 2022, the Pope acknowledged the nearing end of his life and laid out clear instructions for his burial.
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“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,” he wrote.
Pope Francis stated that throughout his life and ministry as a priest and bishop, he had always placed his trust in the Blessed Virgin Mary. His connection to the Marian sanctuary was long-standing and deeply personal.
“For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest - awaiting the day of the Resurrection - in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major,” Pope Francis wrote.
The Basilica held particular importance to him, as he made it a spiritual stop before and after his Apostolic Journeys.
“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,” he wrote.
Pope Francis requested that his tomb be located in a specific side aisle of the basilica, near the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, as indicated in the plan attached to his testament.
He also asked that the tomb be simple and set into the ground, bearing only a single inscription: Franciscus.
He made arrangements for the cost of the burial to be met through funds provided by a benefactor and entrusted Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, the Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica, with ensuring these arrangements were followed.
“I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica,” he wrote.
In a final expression of faith, Pope Francis offered the pain he experienced in the last phase of his life to God. “The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and fraternity among peoples.”
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at 7:35 am in his residence at Casa Santa Marta.
He was 88 years old. “Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta,” the Vatican posted on X.
The cause of death was officially recorded as a stroke, followed by a coma and cardiocirculatory collapse.
According to Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, the Pope had been dealing with several health issues including a history of acute respiratory failure due to multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes.
“I hereby declare that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above,” wrote Dr. Arcangeli.
The Holy See Press Office released the medical report on Monday evening, confirming the findings through electrocardiographic thanatography.
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