Pope Francis left precise instructions for his burial: a grave in the earth, without decoration, bearing only the inscription “Franciscus.” His testament, written in 2022, emphasizes humility and Marian devotion.

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Pope Francis’ Testament: Humility and Simplicity in His Final Will

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 following a stroke. Hours later, the Vatican released his testament, written on June 29, 2022, in which he details his wish to be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, under an austere tombstone reflecting his stripped-down style and criticism of ecclesiastical symbols of power.

The document, signed at his residence in Santa Marta, instructs that his tomb be “in the ground, simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.” This choice stands in contrast to previous papal mausoleums and aligns his death with his advocacy for a “poor Church for the poor,” a principle that defined his pontificate since 2013. The chosen basilica, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was the site of his prayers before and after each apostolic journey.

Pope Francis will be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in the Pauline Chapel, which houses the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, as he requested in his Spiritual Testament.

The Holy See Press Office announced that Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the Director of the… pic.twitter.com/LqXEHgqzhj

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 21, 2025

Francis stipulated that the costs of his burial be covered by a “benefactor,” with instructions delegated to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas. This gesture avoids the use of public funds and reinforces his longstanding critique of the “spiritual worldliness” of ecclesiastical structures. The testament also mentions that he offered the “sufferings that marked the final part of his life to the Lord, for peace in the world and fraternity among peoples,” echoing his encyclical Fratelli Tutti.

From Latin America, where he is recognized for his focus on human rights and integral ecology, the testament is seen as the culmination of a papacy that prioritized the peripheries over centers of power. His choice of Santa Maria Maggiore, a sanctuary linked to migrants and victims of inequality ,reinforces this perspective, as does his final mention of those who “continue to pray for me,” avoiding hierarchical honors.

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