Sat Apr 26 09:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Pope Francis to be Buried in Basilica of St. Mary Major, a First in Centuries
**ROME** – In a departure from tradition, Pope Francis will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, not the Vatican Grottoes. This marks the first time a pope has been buried outside the Vatican in over 100 years. The decision, according to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, was made at the behest of the Virgin Mary, who reportedly appeared to the Pope and requested it.
Pope Francis, who visited the basilica 126 times during his papacy, often prayed before the Salus Populi Romani icon of the Virgin Mary housed within. He attributed his decision to a divine intervention, stating his happiness that Mary hadn’t forgotten him.
The basilica, a fourth-century church, holds significant historical and religious importance. Legend credits its construction to a miraculous snowfall in August, following an apparition of the Virgin Mary to Pope Liberius and an aristocrat. Seven other popes are buried there, mostly from a period when St. Peter’s Basilica was under construction.
Pope Francis’ tomb, a simple marble slab inscribed with “Franciscus,” reflects his commitment to humility and simplicity. This aligns with his life’s work, characterized by eschewing papal pomp and embracing a more modest lifestyle. His burial will consist of a single wooden casket lined with zinc, unlike the traditional triple-coffin burial.
The Basilica of St. Mary Major, situated in Rome’s Esquilino district, has seen a surge in visitors since the announcement. Devotees are drawn to the site to pray and pay their respects before the funeral on Saturday. The simplicity of his final resting place underscores his message of equality and shared humanity.
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