Vatican City (Vatican), 21 April (LaPresse) – This is the full text of Pope Francis' will, released by the Holy See Press Office: ’Miserando atque Eligendo. In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen. Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary wishes only regarding the place of my burial. I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, awaiting the day of resurrection. I wish that my last earthly journey should end in this ancient Marian sanctuary, where I used to go to pray at the beginning and end of each Apostolic Journey, to entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and to thank her for her gentle and maternal care.’ I ask that my tomb be prepared in the niche of the side aisle between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica, as indicated in the attached document. The tomb, it continues, must be in the ground, simple, without any particular decoration and with the sole inscription: Franciscus. The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by the sum of the benefactor I have appointed, to be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and I have given appropriate instructions to Monsignor Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter.’
© Copyright LaPresse
