- News. Pope Francis cause of death: What did the first Latin American pontiff die of at the age of 88?
- News. Pope Francis dies | Latest updates after the death of the pope
The death of Pope Francis marks the end of an era in the Catholic Church. After more than a decade of pontificate, the Supreme Pontiff has left a legacy of humility, closeness to the faithful and a strong commitment to ecclesiastical reform. Now, the big question that arises is: where will Pope Francis be buried?
Following in the tradition of his predecessors, Pope Francis is most likely to be buried in the Vatican Grottoes, located beneath St Peter's Basilica. This site is home to the tombs of more than 90 pontiffs, including key figures such as St John Paul II, Paul VI and Benedict XVI
Burial in the Vatican Grottoes symbolizes the continuity of the Church's spiritual leadership and reinforces the link with St. Peter, the first pope, whose tomb is in this very place. In Francis' case, his burial here would be a reflection of his desire to maintain tradition and his deep respect for the Church's history.
Why are Popes buried in the Vatican?
In the heart of the Vatican, the Grottoes of St. Peter's house the remains of all the pontiffs of the 20th century, consolidating themselves as the resting place par excellence for the leaders of the Church in recent times. This sacred space, located under the majestic St. Peter's Basilica, is home not only to tombs, but also to centuries of history and apostolic continuity.
In contrast, Pope Francis has shown, from the beginning of his ministry, a special affinity with another of the great temples of Rome: the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Even before being elected as Supreme Pontiff, the then Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio already felt a deep spiritual connection with this emblematic Marian place of worship.
His first public action after being elected Pope in March 2013 was to go to this basilica. There, in a gesture of humility and faith, he entrusted his pontificate to the Virgin Mary, specifically before the icon of the Salus Populi Romani, one of the images most venerated by Roman Catholics.
Since then, Pope Francis has maintained the tradition of visiting St. Mary Major whenever he begins or concludes an international apostolic journey. On each occasion, he stops to pray and thank the Virgin for her protection during his travels.
This personal ritual reflects not only his strong Marian devotion, but also his desire to remain rooted in the simple and close spirituality that characterizes his pontificate. Thus, while the remains of his predecessors rest in the bowels of the Vatican, Pope Francis continues to build his legacy with steps full of symbolism and prayer.
Other options for your burial
Although the Vatican Grottoes would be the most logical option, there are other possibilities for Pope Francis' burial. On several occasions, he has expressed interest in being buried in his native Argentina. However, ecclesiastical regulations and papal funeral traditions make this option unlikely.
Another alternative would be the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome and the official seat of the Pope as bishop of the city. However, this has not been a usual destination for pontiffs in recent times.
There has also been speculation about the Basilica of San Lorenzo Extramuros, where Pope Pius IX was buried, or even a more humble option, in keeping with Francis' lifestyle.