Why will Pope Francis be buried outside the Vatican?

Pope Francis, however, will be buried outside the Vatican. But why?

According to a New York Times report, Francis had indicated his desire to revise the papal funeral traditions, stating in an interview with a Mexican broadcaster last year that he wished to be buried in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, rather than in St. Peter’s Basilica like most of his predecessors. He has a deep personal connection to Santa Maria Maggiore, having visited it the day after his election and routinely stopping there before and after his international trips to pray before the icon of the Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani (Protector of the People of Rome).

In 2024, Pope Francis revised the funeral rites, simplifying the rituals to emphasise his role as a mere bishop and allow his burial outside the Vatican in keeping with his wishes.

The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano published details of the updated liturgical book, which Francis approved on April 29, 2024, and replaced the previous edition that was last published in 2000.

The new reform simplifies the funeral rites, including eliminating the requirement that the pope be placed on an elevated bier in St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing. Rather, he will be on view in a simple coffin, and the burial no longer requires the traditional three coffins of cyprus, lead and oak.

The simplification is meant “to emphasise even more that the Roman Pontiff’s funeral is that of a shepherd and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful man of this world,” Monsignor Diego Ravelli said to L’Osservatore.

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