Pope Francis wants to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
The Pope turns 87 on Sunday and has been struggling with a respiratory illness in recent weeks. Due to severe knee pain, he has repeatedly used a wheelchair recently, and in June he underwent surgery for a hernia in his abdominal wall.
In the interview with N+, the Argentinian pope said that he felt a great connection to the Basilica of Maria Maggiore, which houses the tombs of seven popes. Before his election as Pope in 2013, he went there every Sunday to pray. Francis also prays there before and after trips abroad.
The 86-year-old also told the broadcaster that he had simplified the very long rituals for the burial of a pope. At the same time, he paid tribute to his predecessor, Benedict XVI, for his "courage" in announcing his resignation as acting Pope.
Benedict's resignation in 2013 was a historic act, as no pope had done so since the Middle Ages. He died on December 31, 2022 at the age of 95. He is buried in the crypt under St. Peter's Basilica.
Francis had stated in the past that he would be prepared to resign if he was no longer able to exercise his office; however, he had also said that a papal resignation should not become "fashionable".
He did not give a date for his trip to Belgium next year. Trips to his home country of Argentina and to Polynesia are still being considered, he said. In 2023, the Pope made five trips abroad, although he had to forgo the trip to the World Climate Conference in Dubai for health reasons.
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The Pontiff's desire to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore stems from his deep connection with the historic church. Due to his health issues, Sundays have become a day of rest and reflection for him in the Basilica of Maria Maggiore. Pope Francis has expressed appreciation for the simplified burial rituals, crediting his predecessor, Benedict XVI., for his brave act of announcing his resignation. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, with its seven popal tombs, holds a special place in Francis' heart, as he visited it regularly before his papal election in 2013. In 2013, Benedict XVI. became the first Pope in centuries to resign, marking a significant event in the history of the Vatican. Upon his death in 2022, Benedict was laid to rest in the crypt beneath St. Peter's Basilica.
In his past statements, Pope Francis expressed his readiness to step down from office if his duties became too burdensome, but he cautioned against making papal resignation a common practice. Although he did not disclose a timeline for his upcoming trip to Belgium, the Pope mentioned potential future visits to Argentina and Polynesia. In 2023, despite health challenges, Pope Francis undertook five foreign journeys, with the World Climate Conference in Dubai being one that he had to forego.
Source: www.stern.de
