Vatican's secretive benefactor foots Pope Francis's funeral bill

• The funeral of Pope Francis is scheduled for Saturday.
• The Pope left detailed instructions regarding the place and method of his burial.
• In his will, he also identified who would cover the funeral expenses.

On the day of Pope Francis' death, the Vatican revealed his last will and testament. In the document, dated June 29, 2022, the Pope specified the arrangements for his funeral and who would bear the costs.

"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," he noted in his will.

According to businessinsider.com.pl, the Vatican press office confirmed that the donation from an anonymous benefactor has already been deposited in the account of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Nonetheless, the benefactor's name, origin, or reasons for the donation have not been disclosed.

Currently, as reported by businessinsider.com.pl, it has not been disclosed what the funeral ceremonies for Pope Francis will cost. It seems likely, however, that it will be more modest than the funeral of John Paul II in 2005.

The Spanish service ara. cat states that, according to official Vatican data, the funeral of John Paul II and the conclave that elected his successor, Benedict XVI, cost about 7 million euros (approximately 10.4 million Canadian dollars). These expenses covered religious ceremonies, logistical issues, and extensive security measures implemented during those days.