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ROME — In a significant turn of events, Pope Francis will become the first pope in over a hundred years to be laid to rest outside the Vatican Grottoes. Following his funeral this Saturday, he will find his final resting place at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, located in the Esquilino district of Rome.
This unprecedented decision was described by Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas as stemming from “divine intervention.” He shared insights with NPR about the Pope’s deep personal connection to this historic basilica.
According to legend, St. Mary Major was established after the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to an aristocrat named Giovanni and Pope Liberius, asking for a church to be built in her honor. During a meeting with Makrickas, Pope Francis revealed that he had experienced a similar vision from the Virgin Mary, which influenced his wish to be buried there. “He expressed to me, ‘I am so happy that Mary didn’t forget me,'” Makrickas recounted.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis frequently visited St. Mary Major, praying before the revered icon of Salus Populi Romani, which portrays the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus. This painting, said to be of significant historical value, was brought to Rome from the East during the fifth century, coinciding with the recognition of Mary as the Mother of God at the Council of Ephesus. It is traditionally attributed to St. Luke the Evangelist.
For Pope Francis, the icon became a symbol of strength and solace; he visited it on his first day as pope in 2013 and turned to it before and after every journey outside Rome. Notably, he returned to pray at the basilica just days before his passing on Easter Monday.
The Salus Populi Romani holds a storied place in history, reputed to have saved Rome from a devastating plague in 590 when Pope Gregory the Great led a procession in her honor. Moreover, during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis had this icon brought to St. Peter’s Basilica, where he prayed alone in the rain, beseeching her for solace in a time of uncertainty.
Pope Francis’ burial site will be marked by a simple marble tomb inscribed with “Franciscus,” situated within a niche between the Pauline Chapel and the Sforza Chapel. Notably, while seven previous popes are interred at St. Mary Major, many were laid to rest there during the lengthy construction of St. Peter’s Basilica, making their presence more of a historical convenience than a matter of choice.
As preparations for Francis’ funeral unfold, St. Mary Major has seen an influx of visitors drawn to the site of his burial. Pilgrims and tourists alike have filled the basilica, and a notable congregation gathered in prayer at the chapel housing the Salus Populi Romani, their voices echoing gracefully through the grand structure.
Currently, the area designated for Pope Francis’ tomb is under final preparations. The Vatican has released images showcasing the completed burial site, which juxtaposes simplicity with reverence—a choice that reflects the Pope’s values. His will explicitly requested a modest resting place, eschewing the elaborate traditions typically associated with papal funerals. Instead of the customary three nested coffins, Francis opted for a single wooden casket lined with zinc.
The Pope’s choice of simplicity is seen by many, including visitors like Giuseppe Cipolla, as a profound statement on equality and inclusivity. “The message we took from Francis’ simplicity is that he was trying to make people understand that we are all the same,” Cipolla remarked, emphasizing the Pope’s vision for a more equitable world.
Pope Francis will mark a historical milestone as the first pope in more than three and a half centuries to be buried at St. Mary Major, the last being Clement IX.
This basilica, a cornerstone of Catholic heritage for 16 centuries, is located in a vibrant district currently home to a large immigrant community and the city’s primary train station. Historically, the Esquiline Hill has deep roots, as it was one of the foundational seven hills of ancient Rome.
The origins of St. Mary Major are closely entwined with miraculous narratives, including the story of Mary’s vision to Giovanni and Pope Liberius, where the site was chosen in a miraculous way. According to tradition, snow fell on the hill in August, signaling the location for the basilica’s construction.
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