By Editorial,
Pope Francis will be buried at St Mary Major Basilica (Santa Maria Maggiore), on his request.
Santa Maria Maggioreis one of the four Major papal basilicas as well as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and the largest Marian church in Rome, Italy.
In his book, ‘’The Successor’’ in 2024, Pope Francis is quoted to have said he had always had a great devotion to St Mary Major, even before being a pope.”
In an interview with the Times newspaper, the Basilica’s Master of Ceremonies and head of liturgy, Fr. Ivan Ricupero, said Pope Francis “had been there 125 times since becoming Pope and always brought flowers”.
Meanwhile, several world leaders are due to attend the Pope’s burial on Saturday, including Donald Trump, Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky among others.
The Prince of Wales will attend the funeral too on behalf of King Charles III, Kensington Palace says in a statement. END