Pope Francis to be laid to rest in St. Mary Major Basilica
On Saturday, Pope Francis will be interred in the Roman Basilica of St. Mary Major. His tomb, crafted from marble sourced from Italy's Liguria region, as he wished, bears only the inscription "Franciscus".
What do you need to know?
- Where will Pope Francis be buried? He will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
- When will the funeral take place? The funeral ceremony will be held on Saturday, following a Mass in St. Peter's Square.
- What does the resting place look like? The tomb is made from Ligurian marble, with the inscription "Franciscus" on the slab.
What are the details of the Pope's burial?
The Vatican has released a photo of Pope Francis's grave, which will be located in the Basilica of St. Mary Major. The tomb is situated in a narrow niche on the floor, and the inscription reads "Franciscus".
The marble used was sourced from Italy's Liguria, where the Pope's maternal family originated. Above the slab, there is a reproduction of the cross he wore on his chest.
Pope Francis personally arranged many aspects of his burial, leaving detailed instructions in his will.
Why is the Basilica of St. Mary Major important to the Pope?
The Basilica of St. Mary Major held a special place in Pope Francis's heart. He visited it over 125 times during key moments of his pontificate. The grave has been prepared between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, near the altar of St. Francis.
Pope Francis will be buried there on Saturday, after the funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square. The faithful will be able to visit the grave from Sunday morning.
