VATICAN — In a significant departure from tradition, Pope Francis, at 86 years old, has made unprecedented arrangements for his final resting place outside the Vatican.
Expressing his desire for a simpler funeral, the pontiff, who turns 87 on Sunday, has chosen to be buried at Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Despite his ailing health, Pope Francis made it clear in an interview with Mexico’s N+ television that he has “already prepared” his tomb and outlined plans for a funeral that diverges from the elaborate rites usually associated with his predecessors.
The Pope’s decision marks a departure from the customary practice of Vatican leaders being interred within the confines of the Vatican.
His willingness to forego the traditional pomp and privilege associated with the Vatican’s funeral rites reflects his commitment to simplicity and humility.
In the interview with Valentina Alazraki, the Vatican correspondent for N+ television, Pope Francis discussed these plans, providing insight into his vision for a more understated farewell.
This revelation comes as a significant moment in papal history, suggesting that Pope Francis is poised to become the first pontiff in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican.
Despite his advanced age and recent health concerns, the Pope emphasized that he has no intention of retiring, reinforcing his commitment to continuing his papal duties.
The interview, conducted on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, showcased Pope Francis’s resilience as he presided over a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, seemingly recovered from a recent bout of bronchitis.
As the Catholic world contemplates these unprecedented decisions by the Pope, his actions underscore his dedication to a more modest and unassuming legacy.
Source: Mail Online UK
(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)
