Francis has revealed he is working with the Vatican’s ceremonial leader to pardon the complex and proverbially long papal funeral rites
Pope Francis, who eschews much of the pomp and privilege of the Vatican, has decided to relax significantly the elaborate rites of a papal funeral. Under the entrepreneurial steps, Francis would be the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican, Reuters reported.
Francis, who turned 87 on Sunday, revealed his funeral plans in an interview with Mexican TV station En Plus on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In the interview, recorded before the pope celebrated mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis appeared recovered from the bronchitis he suffered recently. Prior to the interview with the journalist, the pope laughs as he discusses various topics, including his health, migration, and his relationship with his predecessor, Benedict X. He also talked about his plans to travel abroad. The head of the Roman Catholic Church says he hopes to make three trips throughout the year – to Polynesia, Belgium and his first visit to his native Argentina since he was elected pope in 2013.
Francis revealed that he is working with the Vatican’s ceremonial leader to pardon the elaborate and proverbially long papal funeral rites that were used for his predecessors.
He also stated that because of his devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, he decided to be buried in Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, where he traditionally goes to pray before and after each of his overseas trips.
For more than 100 years, the mortal remains of popes have been laid to rest in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Reuters notes.
Photo by Kai Pilger: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-building-and-people-standing-near-water-fountain-1243538/
