Pope Francis revealed during an interview on Wednesday (Dec 13) that he has chosen to be buried in a Basilica in Rome rather than in St Peter’s Basilica, where his immediate predecessors are buried.
“The place is already prepared. I want to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore,” the pontiff, who turns 87 this weekend, told Mexican broadcaster Televisa’s N+ streaming service.
He also revealed plans to visit Belgium in 2024, as well as Argentina and Polynesia, to visit his native places.
The pontiff’s decision on his tomb would make him the first pope in over a century to be buried outside of the Vatican.
Before Francis, Leo XIII refused to have a tomb in St. Peter’s, and his remains are now housed in the Basilica of St. John the Lateran in Rome. He passed away in 1903.
Seven popes have previously been buried in the Basilica
Santa Maria Maggiore is one of four papal basilicas in Rome, and Francis has stated that he has a “special connection” with it.
Before becoming Pope, Francis used to visit there on weekends when he was in Rome. Since his election in 2013, he has prayed there before and after trips, as well as before and after surgery.
According to the Vatican News official media outlet, seven popes have previously been buried in the Basilica.
In an interview filmed on Tuesday (Dec. 12), he praised his predecessor Benedict XVI for having “the courage” to step down when his health was failing.
Pope Francis has had several health problems in recent years
Earlier, Francis had canceled his trip to Dubai for the COP28 climate talks due to flu-like symptoms.
The Vatican said in a statement that he was suffering from influenza and lung inflammation.
“Although the Holy Father’s general clinical picture has improved regarding his flu-like condition and inflammation of the respiratory tract, doctors have asked the Pope not to make the trip planned for the coming days to Dubai,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement.
“Pope Francis accepted the doctors’ request with great regret, and the trip is therefore canceled,” Bruni said.
Francis has had several health problems in recent years. He was hospitalized earlier this year for pneumonia, which the Vatican classified as bronchitis requiring intravenous antibiotic treatment. The current health concerns are occurring amid unusually windy and chilly weather in Rome.