The Catholic Church and the world are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. His death came just one day after a surprise Easter Sunday appearance at St. Peter’s Square, where he warmly greeted pilgrims and led prayers despite visible signs of frailty. According to the Vatican, Pope Francis suffered a devastating stroke that led to a coma and subsequent irreversible heart failure.
Pope Francis’ death marks the end of a transformative papacy that prioritized humility, mercy, and global outreach. His final days were marked by a quiet acceptance of his declining health, culminating in the release of his last will and testament, a document imbued with his characteristic simplicity and devotion. The Vatican released the full text of the will on Monday, revealing a deeply personal reflection on his life, faith, and wishes for his burial.
A Testament of Humility and Devotion
In the will, dated June 29, 2022, Pope Francis wrote with the clarity of a man at peace with his approaching death. “Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching,” he began, expressing his desire to keep his testament limited strictly to burial arrangements. Central to the document was his profound devotion to Mary, Mother of God, to whom he had entrusted his life and ministry.
Pope Francis requested that his mortal remains rest in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a revered fifth-century Marian sanctuary in Rome. This basilica held deep personal significance for the pontiff, who prayed there before and after each of his over 100 apostolic journeys abroad. His will reflected an unwavering bond to the Virgin Mary, an enduring theme throughout his papacy and personal spirituality.
A Burial Rooted in Simplicity
Breaking from tradition, Pope Francis stipulated that his tomb should be “in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus.” Unlike many of his predecessors, he declined to mention his papal title or legacy in the inscription, emphasizing his wish to be remembered simply as a servant of God.
He specified that his tomb be placed between the Pauline Chapel (home to the iconic Salus Populi Romani image) and the Sforza Chapel within the basilica. The Pope’s instructions included a provision for the burial expenses, which are to be covered by a benefactor’s donation previously arranged through Monsignor Rolandas Makrickas, the Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter. His choices reflect a lifelong commitment to humility, eschewing grandeur even in death.
A Final Offering for Peace and Brotherhood
In the closing lines of his will, Pope Francis offered a moving final prayer for those who loved him and for the wider world. “May the Lord give the deserved reward to those who have loved me and will continue to pray for me,” he wrote. Significantly, he dedicated the suffering of his final years to a cause dear to his heart: world peace and the brotherhood of all peoples.
Throughout his papacy, Francis championed issues of social justice, dialogue among religions, and compassion for the marginalized. His final offering—his own pain and hardship—was consistent with his broader mission to promote unity, mercy, and peace on a global scale. Even in death, Pope Francis sought to align his personal suffering with the greater good of humanity.
Pope Francis:A Legacy That Endures
Pope Francis’ last will and testament, while short and focused solely on his burial, encapsulates the spirit of a pontiff who revolutionized the Catholic Church’s approach to leadership. His emphasis on humility, simplicity, and devotion stands in stark contrast to centuries of papal pomp, reinforcing his reputation as a “Pope of the People.”
As Catholics and admirers worldwide reflect on his life and legacy, Francis’ final written words serve as a profound reminder of the ideals he championed: compassion, humility, faith, and the enduring hope for peace among nations. His simple tomb, marked only by the name “Franciscus,” will stand as a powerful testament to a life lived in service to God and humanity.
