Pope Francis becomes first in 100 years to choose tomb outside Vatican
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.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
CIOTA to enforce professional standards in transport
CIOTA said the sector needed to move away from a system where people could assume transport responsibilities without the required professional training.
States
Sanwo-Olu takes Lagos to UN, seeks stronger partnerships, climate finance
Mr Sanwo-Olu said Lagos is committed to translating climate ambition into practical actions that protect residents, strengthen the economy, and build a more resilient state.
Heading 2
I’ll lead Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign in FCT, Rivers: Wike
Very soon, I will inaugurate the campaign team for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers, which I will lead,” Mr Wike said.
Economy
Appeal Court exonerates Fidelity Bank in N10 million rights case
The Court of Appeal in Abuja cleared Fidelity Bank Plc of liability in a fundamental rights case involving Michael Kundera, overturning an earlier judgement.
Africa
26,000 Somalis face catastrophic hunger amid flood threat, says Save the Children
Save the Children says more than 26,000 people in Somalia are expected to face catastrophic levels of food insecurity between October and December amid flood threats.
World
University of Cambridge drops plans to investigate hiring of Jason Arday after suicide
The University of Cambridge has aborted investigations seeking to probe its recruitment of Jason Arday, the Black professor who died by suicide last month.
