The Roman Catholic Church on Monday confirmed Pope Fran- cis died as a result of a stroke and heart failure. Pope Francis’s final testament, released on Monday evening, expresses his deep belief in eternal life.
Francis wrote: “As I sense the approaching twilight of my earthly life, and with firm hope in eternal life, I wish to set out my final wishes solely regarding the place of my burial.
“Throughout my life and ministry as a priest and bishop, I have always entrusted myself to the mother of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary. For this reason, I ask that my mortal remains rest – awaiting the day of the Resurrection – in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.
“I wish my final earthly journey to end precisely in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I would always stop to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey, confidently entrusting my intentions to the Immaculate Mother, and giving thanks for her gentle and maternal care.
“I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the Basilica, as shown in the attached plan.
“The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.
“The cost of preparing the burial will be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor, which I have arranged to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the necessary instructions regarding this to Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Basilica.
“May the Lord grant a fitting reward to all those who have loved me and who continue to pray for me. The suffering that has marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and for fraternity among peoples.”
Pope Francis confirmed in his final testament – released by the Vatican just now – that he wished to be buried in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major and “without particular decoration”.
Many previous pontiffs have been buried at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
He also requested that his resting place bear the inscription of his papal name in Latin: Franciscus.
The Pope died Monday morning at the age of 88.
His death follows a recent period of illness that had seen the pontiff hospitalised and largely absent from Holy Week liturgies, raising widespread concern over his health.
According to Vatican News, the Holy Father passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. in his residence at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had served as Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, when he succeeded Pope Benedict XVI following his unprecedented resignation.
Over the past year, concerns had mounted over Francis’ fragile health, with repeated respiratory is- sues and hospital stays — the most recent of which occurred in March, prompting scaled-back public appearances during Lent and Easter.
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