Pope Francis Requests Simple Burial in His Will: ‘I Want to Be Buried in the Ground’

Fully prepared for the day he would pass, Pope Francis had made his burial wishes known by releasing his will. The Pope passed away on Easter Monday (April 21, 2025), and hours later, the Vatican released his will to the public, detailing where and how he wished to be buried. Dated June 29, 2022, the document emphasized that the Pope wanted a simple ceremony during a time when his health was severely declining. Specifically, Pope Francis stated: ‘Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with vivid hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my will regarding my burial place. I entrusted my life and priesthood to Our Lady, the Holy Mother. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. I wish my final earthly journey to end in this ancient Marian shrine, where I prayed at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, entrusting my intentions to the Virgin Mary and thanking her for her unwavering maternal care. My tomb should be prepared in the nave’s left aisle between the Pauline chapel (Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza chapel of the aforementioned papal basilica, as detailed in the attached appendix. The tomb must be in the ground—simple, without special decoration, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus. Expenses for preparing my tomb will be covered by the amount I have designated, transferred to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, for which I have provided appropriate instructions.’