Pope Francis, who turns 87 on Sunday, revealed yesterday that he wants to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome, and not in the Vatican, and announced a trip to Belgium in 2024
“The place is ready. I would like to be buried in Santa Maria Maior”, he admitted in an interview with Mexican television N+, released today.
Jorge Bergoglio, who went there regularly before his election in 2013, said he felt a “very strong connection” to this basilica, located in the center of the Italian capital, where seven popes already rest, according to Vatican News.
The Bishop of Rome has the habit of praying there before and after each trip abroad, having also gone there in June, when he left the hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery.
Francis also revealed that he prepared his burial, simplifying the popes’ particularly long funeral ritual. In the same interview, he paid tribute to his predecessor Benedict XVI for having “the courage” to resign his position. In 2013, the German theologian became the first Pope since the Middle Ages to resign.
He died on December 31, 2022 and was buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, as John Paul II. Francis, who said he was “in good health”, always stated that he would be willing to resign from his position if he were no longer able to carry out his duties, although he argues that this “should not become a fashion”.
The head of the Catholic Church also announced that he will visit Belgium in 2024, without specifying the date, and confirmed that trips to Argentina and Polynesia are still being considered.
The Pope made five trips abroad in 2023, but had to cancel his trip to Dubai for the COP28 climate conference at the beginning of the month, due to bronchitis.