Pope Francis Passes Away at 88: A Simple Grave in Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
Pope Francis passed away from stroke-related complications; he desired a straightforward and modest tomb. - Pope Francis suffered a stroke and requested a modest burial.
The reign of the head of the global Catholic population has come to an end. Pope Francis, the 88-year-old Bishop of Rome, breathed his last at 7:35 AM on Monday at the St. Martha guesthouse within the Vatican walls. Reports from the Vatican indicate that he wished for a "simple" and unadorned burial.
Despite his deteriorating health, the Pontiff managed to address the faithful during the Easter Mass on Sunday. His voice, noticeably weakened, conveyed greetings and blessings to the attendees. Later, he was seen cruising in his Popemobile through St. Peter's Square, waving and receiving warm cheers from the jubilant crowd.
Monday evening, the late Pope's body was laid to rest in the private chapel of the St. Martha guesthouse. It is expected to be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, granting the faithful the opportunity to pay their respects at an open casket. The decision regarding the date of his funeral will be made by the cardinals convened in Rome on Tuesday, and it must be held within four to six days of his demise.
Francis, who began his pontificate on March 13, 2013, requested a simple burial at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in his testament. On June 29, 2022, he penned that he felt the "sunset of my earthly life approaching."
The Argentine Pope's health had been in decline for quite some time. Surgical procedures for colon and abdominal wall issues coupled with multiple hospitalizations had plagued him since 2021. In February, he was hospitalized with bilateral pneumonia and faced a near-death experience, as per his doctors. He was discharged from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome and returned to the Vatican on March 23. The death certificate surmises diabetes type 2 as a contributing factor.
Francis's tenure spanned just over 12 years. His election marked the succession of the retiring German pope Benedict XVI. Initially, there was a wave of optimism regarding the prospect of reforms within the Catholic Church. However, these aspirations gave way to a sense of disillusionment as further reforms stalled.
Political and religious leaders from across the globe paid homage to the late Pope. German Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz (CDU) remembered the Pontiff for his ceaseless efforts in advocating for the downtrodden, promoting justice, and fostering reconciliation. US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences on Trump's Truth Social platform and announced plans to attend the late Pope's funeral in Rome.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed Francis as a "great man," having been fortunate to enjoy his friendship, advice, and teachings. French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted Francis's ardent dedication to standing by the most vulnerable and weak. Argentine football star Lionel Messi thanked the Pope for making the world a better place and paying tribute to his personal and far-reaching influence.
As darkness falls over the world, hundreds of believers gather at the Basilica of San José de Flores in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva describes the mourning as overwhelming, likening it to encountering night because they feel orphaned. On the other side of the globe, in Mexico City, where the Roman Catholic community is the second-largest in the world, masses are being held in honor of the deceased Pontiff at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Paris pays tribute to the late Pope in a distinctive manner. On Monday evening, the Eiffel Tower's lights were extinguished, while the Colosseum in Rome is poised to be shrouded in darkness on Tuesday as a mark of respect. The Pope's demise sets in motion a process governed by centuries-old traditions culminating in a conclave of cardinals gathering to elect a successor. The conclave is likely to commence between May 5 and 10.
- Pope Francis
- Stroke
- Vatican
- Death
- Rome
- Death certificate
- Burial
- St. Martha
- Catholic Church
- Mourning
- History
- Italy
- Mexico
Enrichment Data:
The request by Pope Francis to be buried in Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore rather than St. Peter's has historical precedent, though most recent popes since the Middle Ages have been interred at the Vatican. Approximately 90 popes are buried in St. Peter's Basilica, with 22 resting at St. John the Lateran, and 7 at Santa Maria Maggiore. Early popes were often interred in catacombs or smaller Roman churches, with Leo I (d. 461) becoming the first pope to be interred at St. Peter's. The choice of Santa Maria Maggiore reflects a personal priority for the Pope, and while details regarding the simplicity of his grave are undisclosed, it may also refer to the tomb's design rather than its location. The funeral rites retain traditional elements, such as lying in state at St. Peter's Basilica followed by a Saturday funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square prior to transfer to Santa Maria Maggiore.
- Pope Francis, despite having spent his final moments at the St. Martha guesthouse within the Vatican walls, has requested a burial at Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a decision with historical precedent in papal burials.
- The Vatican is expected to release a death certificate, which may attribute the factors leading to Pope Francis's death, including any potential complications from his diagnosed diabetes type 2.
- Despite the mourning and historical significance around Pope Francis's death, the Vatican has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of his burial, leaving the media and public to speculate about the simplicity of his grave as per his testament.
- Future scholars and historians studying the Catholic Church will likely find the burial of Pope Francis at Santa Maria Maggiore an interesting deviation from the usual practice of interring popes at St. Peter's Basilica, providing insight into the complex history and inner workings of the Catholic Church and the personal wishes of its leaders.
