One of the Pope Francis’s last will was to request being buried in the Santa María la Mayor Basilica. The Argentine, who died last Monday, April 21, will be buried in that building next Saturday, April 26.
In detail, that of Santa María la Mayor is one of the Four major basilicas in the city of Rome and one of the five patriarchal associated with the Pentarchy. Its construction dates from 400 after Christ and, in 1990, UNESCO included it in the World Heritage List in Europe.
The Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, the place where the remains of Pope Francis will rest
Unlike many of its predecessors, Pope Francis will not rest in the Vatican gross and catacombs under the basilica of San Pedro where, since 1914 around 90 potatoes were buried. On the other hand, the chosen place is the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, one of the four papal basilicas of Rome with which Bergoglio maintained a special connection since he visited it more than 115 times during his pontificate.
In detail, the building is also known as Basilica of Santa María de las Nieves and Basilica Liberiana and its origins They date back to the fourth century. According to the tradition, Pope Liberio ordered the church to be built at the site where a snowfall occurred out of the common, since it occurred in the middle of summer, after the Virgin Mary had presented a patrician marriage.
Located on top of Mount Esquilo this temple became the cult par excellence to the figure of the Virgin Mary. In addition, it also became a heritage jewel for humanity since it is the only one that maintains its original Paleochristian structure, despite having had several spare parts throughout its history.
Its interior has Byzantine mosaics that decorate the apse and the central nave. The same They are ornate with gold brought from America after the conquest of the Spaniards.
Within the basilica there are two chapels. The Sistine Chapel, that we must not confuse with the one in the Basilica of San Pedro, known for being painted by Miguel Ángel. The other is called Paulinabuilt at the request of Paul V in 1605 and known for being the resting place of Paulina Bonaparte, Napoleon’s sister.
The connection with Pope Francis
The relationship between Pope Francis and the Basilica is deep for various reasons. Is that it maintains A special link with the Society of Jesus, the religious order to which the Argentine belonged.
At Christmas 1538 he celebrated his first Mass where, San Ignacio de Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits. Almost 500 years later, Francisco – The first Pope from the Society of Jesus – will be buried there.
Francisco Basilica 2.WeBP
Getty images
On June 29, 2022, Bergoglio signed his will where he made clear the orders for his burial. “My life and my priestly and episcopal ministry have always entrusted them to the mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy”he said.
“I ask that my mortal remains rest waiting for the day of the resurrection in the papal basilica of Santa María la Mayor,” said the Supreme Pontiff.
As detailed by the text, Francisco wanted his “last earthly trip to end in this ancient Marian sanctuary, to the one who went in prayer at the beginning and end of each apostolic tripto confidently entrust my intentions to the immaculate mother and thank her her docile and maternal care. “
Finally, the funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26 from 5 in the morning of Argentina.
Source: Ambito
