Why Pope Francis Chose a Different Resting Place

Following his passing on Easter Monday, Pope Francis has made history once again—this time by choosing not to be buried within Vatican City. Unlike most popes who are laid to rest beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis requested a much simpler burial at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, located a few miles away in the heart of Rome.

His funeral took place in St. Peter’s Square, where dignitaries and thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects. After the ceremony, his body was transported across the city to the basilica he cherished deeply. In his will, Francis had expressed a desire for a modest tomb, requesting that it simply read “Franciscus” without ornate decoration. The cost of the burial, he noted, would be covered by a benefactor’s donation.

The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, renowned for its radiant gold ceilings and intricate mosaics, now holds Francis’ remains. This basilica, perched on the Esquiline Hill—the highest of Rome’s seven hills—stands as one of the four major papal basilicas. Its grand bell tower, the tallest in Rome, overlooks a church bathed in sunlight, steeped in centuries of history.

According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to Pope Liberius and a Roman nobleman in 358 A.D., instructing them to build a church at a spot where snow would miraculously fall. When snow covered Esquiline Hill in August, the basilica’s construction began. Over time, the church evolved into an architectural masterpiece, with its original mosaics still intact and a Neoclassical facade added in the 18th century.

For Pope Francis, this site was more than just a historical monument. It was a deeply spiritual place he frequently visited before and after important journeys or hospital stays. He often placed flowers before the revered Marian icon, Salus Populi Romani, entrusting his travels and health to the Virgin Mary’s protection.

His attachment to Santa Maria Maggiore was so profound that he revealed his wish to be buried there in 2023. Speaking candidly, he said, “I feel a very strong connection to this basilica and want it to be my final resting place.” A grave had already been prepared in anticipation of his request.

Though seven other popes are interred at Santa Maria Maggiore, Francis is the first in more than a century to choose burial outside St. Peter’s Basilica. The last was Pope Leo XIII, who passed in 1903 and was laid to rest at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

This isn’t the only tradition Francis broke during his papacy. Unlike his predecessors, he declined residence in the lavish Apostolic Palace, preferring a modest apartment in the Vatican’s guesthouse, Santa Marta. Known for his humble lifestyle even as a cardinal in Buenos Aires, he famously used public transportation instead of official cars and later opted for a simple blue Ford Focus at the Vatican.

Since his death, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore has seen a surge of visitors. The atmosphere has been reflective yet filled with a spirit of gratitude. Many visitors, like Victoria Ferreira from Brazil, said they felt a renewed emotional connection to the basilica after Francis’ passing. She added, “Pope Francis taught us love, hope, and empathy. Now more than ever, we must carry forward his message through our actions.”