Pope Francis to be laid to rest in historic Roman Basilica
On Saturday, Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. According to his wishes, the tombstone, crafted from marble sourced from Italy's Liguria region, bears only the inscription "Franciscus."
What do you need to know?
- Where will Pope Francis be buried? The Pope will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
- When will the funeral take place? The funeral ceremony will occur on Saturday, following the Mass at St. Peter’s Square.
- What is the burial site like? The tombstone is crafted 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' grave, which will be located in the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Saturday. The tombstone is placed in a narrow niche on the floor, and only the name "Franciscus" is engraved on the slab.
It is made from marble 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.
The Pope personally arranged the details of his burial, leaving instructions in his will.
Why is the Basilica of St. Mary Major important to the Pope?
The Basilica of St. Mary Major held special significance for Pope Francis. He visited it more than 125 times during significant moments of his pontificate. The Pope’s grave is located between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, near the altar of Saint Francis.
The burial will take place on Saturday, following the funeral Mass at St. Peter’s Square. The grave will be open for the faithful to visit starting on Sunday morning.
