Pope Francis chose the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore as his final resting place, breaking with centuries of tradition that saw popes buried inside the Vatican. This decision signals his departure from the exclusive realm of the Holy See.
The basilica, located near Rome’s main train station and close to the Argentine embassy, symbolizes Francis’s deep connection to his homeland and his solidarity with migrants and ordinary people, rather than the powerful elite.
He selected a simple tomb near an icon of the Madonna, whom he deeply revered, emphasizing humility and spiritual devotion over papal grandeur.
In a powerful gesture of inclusivity, prisoners and migrants will carry his casket into the basilica, reflecting his lifelong advocacy for the marginalized.
The basilica’s location outside the Vatican walls places Francis closer to the people, both physically and symbolically, rather than within the secluded, elite confines of St. Peter’s.
His burial there underscores his vision of a “poor church for the poor,” distancing his legacy from the traditional power and pageantry of the papacy.
