Vatican Publishes Pope Francis’s Will

The Vatican has published the text of Pope Francis’s will, which was written in 2022.

Pope Francis passed away in the early morning of Monday, April 21, at the age of 88. His request regarding his funeral ceremonies was that he be buried in the ground without special decorations, with only an inscription bearing his papal name in Latin written above his burial site.

After holding the funeral service, the Vatican published his will. The text of his will reads as follows:

“As I feel the approach of the sunset of my earthly life and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to express my final wishes only regarding my burial place. Throughout my life and during my priestly and episcopal service, I have always entrusted myself to the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I request that my mortal remains rest in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, awaiting the day of resurrection.

I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this Church of Santa Maria Maggiore; the place where I always went at the beginning and end of each apostolic journey to entrust my intentions with confidence to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to give thanks for her maternal love and support. I request that my tomb be prepared in a special place in the side corridor of the church, between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel, according to the plan attached to this will.

My tomb should be in the earth, simple and without special decorations, and only an inscription bearing the name Franciscus (Francis) should be inscribed upon it. The cost of preparing the tomb will be paid by a benefactor (an amount I have provided to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore for this purpose). I have given the necessary instructions in this regard to Cardinal Rolando Pio Mancini, Commissioner of the Liber Church.

May God grant deserving reward to all those who have loved me and continue to pray for me. The suffering I have endured in the final period of my life, I offer to God for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.

Santa Marta, June 29, 2022″