Why Francis will be the first Pope buried outside the Vatican in 120 years
Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Pope breaks with tradition over burial site
- Pope Francis will be buried outside the Vatican in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major), breaking with tradition.
- This is the first papal burial outside the Vatican in over a century, the last being Pope Leo XIII in 1903.
- The Pope's chosen burial site reflects his humble approach to the papacy, a characteristic he maintained throughout his tenure.
- St Mary Major Basilica held significance for Pope Francis due to his devotion to Mary, Mother of God, and he frequently prayed there during his papacy.
- His burial will be simple, as per his wishes, with his grave marked only with his papal name in Latin, "Franciscus".