Pope Francis has chosen to be buried outside the Vatican City, shunning St Peter’s Basilica, where his immediate predecessors were and are usually buried.

The pope revealed this on Wednesday in an interview broadcast by Mexican broadcaster Televisa’s N+ streaming service.

“The place is already prepared. I want to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore,” the pontiff said.

The Catholic leader’s decision meant he would become the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over 100 years.

Leo XIII, who died in 1903, was the last pope to shun a tomb at St Peter’s Basilica. The pope explained that he feels a special connection to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the four Papal Basilicas in Rome.

The pope will often go there to pray before and after a trip. He had been a frequent visitor to the basilica before he was elected Pope in 2013.

According to the Vatican News, seven popes have previously been laid to rest in the basilica.

The pontiff has recently suffered increasing health issues and was even forced to cancel his trip to COP28 climate talks in Dubai due to bronchitis.

In a recent interview, the pope paid tribute to his predecessor, Benedict XVI, for having the courage to step down when his health prevented him from fully performing his duties as the pope.

Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope since the Middle Ages to resign from office. Following his death on December 31st, 2022, a funeral mass was held for him at St Peter’s Basilica, after which he was buried in the tomb under the church.

Pope Francis has said he would be open to following the example of his predecessor, Benedict XVI if his health fails him and restricts him from fully performing his duties as Pope.