Staff Reports
In a recent interview with Mexican television, Pope Francis revealed that he has already selected a burial place for himself, although he does not anticipate needing it anytime soon. Unlike his predecessors, who were interred within the Vatican, Pope Francis has chosen the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, located in Rome but outside the confines of Vatican City, as his final resting place. The pontiff explained that he stops to pray at the basilica, specifically in front of a Byzantine-style painting depicting Mary holding baby Jesus, both before and after each of his foreign trips. He called it his “great devotion.”
Pope Francis Has Prepared His Own Tomb, Wants to Break Tradition with Where He's Buried https://t.co/y7ebaBp91E
— Lifestyle by WJ (@lifestylebywj) December 13, 2023
While discussing his plans for the future, Pope Francis mentioned his desire to scale back the traditional papal funeral ceremony when the time comes. He emphasized the importance of preparing oneself for old age and stated that he would introduce a new funeral ritual. Despite battling multiple health issues, the pope remained optimistic about his well-being, stating that he feels good and improved. He humorously acknowledged that some may consider him imprudent because he feels like staying active and moving around, but he interpreted it as a positive sign. He assured the public that he is quite well.
During the past year, Pope Francis has become more resolute in his dealings with conservative critics within the Catholic Church. He expressed the necessity of standing up to certain individuals, insinuating that there are limits to how much criticism he will tolerate. Due to his health conditions, the pope has had to reduce his travel, but he confirmed plans to visit Belgium next year and is also contemplating trips to Polynesia and his native country, Argentina. He noted the need to reevaluate all journeys and consider their distances and feasibility. Notably, despite being criticized by Argentine President Javier Milei during the recent election campaign, Francis disclosed that Milei extended an invitation for him to return to Argentina, highlighting the distinction between campaign rhetoric and actual actions.
When questioned about his future plans, Pope Francis stated that he has no intentions of stepping down from his position but would be open to resignation if it seemed appropriate. He humorously remarked that he hopes the Lord will let him know when it’s time to say “enough.” The pontiff emphasized the importance of distinguishing between political statements made during the campaign and subsequent real-world decisions. He acknowledged that politicians often use provocative rhetoric to attract attention but ultimately have to make concrete choices once in power. Pope Francis expressed his commitment to continuing his papal duties as long as he feels called to do so while remaining open to divine guidance regarding his future.
