Revealing the Burial Site of Pope Francis: Not St. Peter’s Basilica, as Many Have Assumed

The death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 marked the end of an era for the Catholic Church. After a long and often transformative papacy that spanned twelve years, Pope Francis passed away following a series of health complications. The Vatican confirmed his passing with a statement that reflected on the life of a pope who consistently focused on compassion, social justice, and humility.

His legacy, however, will be marked not only by his actions during his life but also by the final resting place he has chosen, which breaks with more than a century of tradition.

Pope Francis was a pope known for his rejection of excess. Unlike many of his predecessors, who embraced the traditional opulence of the papacy, Francis set himself apart with a humble, almost ascetic lifestyle.

His leadership was focused on serving the disenfranchised, advocating for migrants, and highlighting issues such as poverty and environmental sustainability. These ideals extended to his final wishes as well, including his decision regarding his burial.

Traditionally, popes have been interred in the grand and historic St. Peter’s Basilica, the spiritual heart of the Vatican and the burial site for over 140 popes. The practice of burying popes there has been unbroken for centuries, with only one major exception.

In 1903, Pope Leo XIII was buried in the Vatican Grottoes, a burial area underneath St. Peter’s Basilica, but his remains were moved to the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in 1924. Since then, the tradition of St. Peter's as the final resting place for the papacy has remained intact. However, Pope Francis chose to break this longstanding tradition.

Instead of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis requested to be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the four major papal basilicas in Rome. This choice reflects a deep personal connection to the basilica, which is known for its stunning mosaics, gilded ceiling, and the icon of the Salus Populi Romani (Salvation of the people of Rome).

This revered image of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child, believed to have been painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist, holds great significance for the Pope. During his time as pontiff, Francis made over 100 visits to the basilica, often stopping to pray in front of the icon before and after his international trips.

Pope Francis had expressed his desire to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore as early as 2015, and his wish was granted. This will make him the first pope in over 100 years to be buried outside St. Peter’s Basilica, signaling his desire for a simpler, more personal final resting place, in keeping with the humble and straightforward approach that defined his papacy.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is located on Esquiline Hill in Rome and is one of the largest and most important Marian churches in the city. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it is not only a site of significant religious importance but also a place that Pope Francis felt a personal connection to. His choice of burial at this location speaks to his deep veneration for the Virgin Mary and the icon of Salus Populi Romani, a symbol of protection and care for the people of Rome, and, by extension, the world.

Francis’s decision to forgo the traditional elevated platform, where previous popes were displayed in public view at St. Peter’s Basilica, is another deviation from the norm. Traditionally, the papal funeral rites include the body of the deceased pope being placed on a platform at the center of St. Peter’s Basilica for the public to pay their respects.

This practice allows mourners to view the pope’s body and offer their final goodbyes in a grand, ceremonial manner. However, Pope Francis chose a simpler approach. His body will not be placed on a platform; instead, mourners will view his body in an open coffin, which will have its lid removed, allowing for a more personal and intimate farewell.

The casket itself will also reflect the pope’s preferences for simplicity. Unlike the elaborate coffins used for previous popes, which were made from three different types of wood—cypress, lead, and oak—Pope Francis’s coffin will be simpler. His final resting place will feature a wooden casket lined with zinc, a material known for its durability and simplicity. The choice of a less elaborate coffin is another reflection of Francis’s rejection of papal extravagance and his desire to leave behind a legacy of humility, even in death.

Pope Francis’s decision to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore, as well as his preference for a simple casket and funeral, is consistent with his public persona. Throughout his papacy, Francis emphasized that the Catholic Church should focus on the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten.

His papacy was characterized by outreach to the disenfranchised, calls for compassion and solidarity with migrants, and an effort to create a Church that was not defined by wealth or power, but by service and humility.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, with its long history and its dedication to the Virgin Mary, will provide Pope Francis with a resting place that aligns with his personal devotion and the values he championed during his papacy. His connection to this basilica is evident in the fact that he made frequent visits there to pray, particularly before embarking on international trips, where he would often ask for the Virgin Mary’s protection and guidance.

His decision to be buried there also highlights his deep spirituality and his belief that his work was always in service to something greater than himself. The basilica’s association with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the Salus Populi Romani icon that hangs within, ties into Francis’s belief in the protective power of faith and his desire to continue serving the people, even after his death.

For those who will come to visit Pope Francis’s final resting place, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore will provide a quieter, more intimate space for reflection and remembrance. While St. Peter’s Basilica has long been the focal point for the papacy, Santa Maria Maggiore offers a different kind of legacy, one grounded in humility, faith, and personal connection to the sacred.

As the Church begins the process of mourning Pope Francis’s passing and preparing for his successor, his choice of burial will serve as a poignant reminder of the kind of Pope he was—a man who lived simply, reached out to the world’s most vulnerable, and always sought to point others toward a path of compassion and peace. His decision to break with tradition in such a meaningful way, both in terms of his burial location and his funeral arrangements, will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining part of his legacy.

The next steps for the Church will be filled with anticipation as the cardinals prepare for the conclave to elect a new pope. But for now, the focus remains on honoring Pope Francis’s life and the choices he made, both during his papacy and in the final moments of his life. His burial at Santa Maria Maggiore will stand as a testament to his humility and his unwavering commitment to the ideals of faith, service, and love for all people.