April 23, 2025 | 09:49 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In his will, Pope Francis expressed his desire to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy. The funeral ceremony is scheduled to take place at St. Peter’s Basilica on the morning of Saturday, April 26, 2025. In his will dated June 29, 2022, Pope Francis stated that he wished to be buried without any special ornaments, with only the name Franciscus inscribed.
That name was chosen for his papacy in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. "I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore," wrote Pope Francis in his will, which was published by the Vatican on Monday, April 21, 2025, as quoted by Antara on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
About the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
1. Facade
According to the official website of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Florentine architect Ferdinando Fuga constructed the main facade for the Holy Year celebration in 1750. A dominant feature here is the Loggia of Benedictions. The basilica features elegant arched motifs that frame a mosaic by Filippo Rusuti, built around 1300, which depicts Christ on his throne with saints at his side and the Miracle of the Snow.
The basilica's brick bell tower is the tallest in Rome at 75 meters. The basilica is situated on a hill, and the bell tower is the tallest part of the building, making it the highest structure in the area.
The Sistine Chapel was built on the northern side of the basilica between 1585 and 1587. Along with the Pauline Chapel, constructed two decades later, it contributes significantly to the basilica’s exterior appearance. The rear of the basilica faces the historic center of Rome and features a monumental staircase designed by Carlo Rainaldi in 1673.
2. Tomb of the Popes
The Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a fifth-century church, has served as the burial site for seven popes. The last pope to be buried there was Clement IX in 1669. The most recent pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII in 1903, whose final resting place is the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran.
Pope Francis has consistently prayed at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major before departing on international trips and upon his return. Most recently, he prayed inside the basilica on April 12, 2025, to mark the beginning of Holy Week leading up to Easter.
As one of the four papal basilicas in Rome, Saint Mary Major also houses the relics of other notable figures, such as architect and sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who designed St. Peter’s Square and its surrounding colonnades. The Basilica's Central Nave is lined with 40 iconic pillars and adorned with mosaics.
Sita Planasari has contributed to this article
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